ahem
interjection
a throat-clearing sound; often read as
ə-ˈhem 
—used especially to attract attention or to express disapproval or embarrassment
Examples of ahem in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trendy Queen Oversized Long-Sleeve T-Shirt Anyone who loves wearing oversized tees (ahem, raises hand) will appreciate this slouchy jersey top.
—
Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Conditions for the games played on the three cold-weather campuses were, ahem, quite seasonal for the week before Christmas.
—Eric Olson, Twin Cities, 18 Dec. 2025
Bennett didn’t stop, following it up with 17-13-160-2 for 34.5 in Week 15 (but, ahem, a dud in Week 16).
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The cast is chosen well, with Mikkelsen — so diabolically evil and handsome as Hannibal Lecter in Fuller’s ghoulish series — giving another magical, very physical performance, and Sigourney Weaver as his, ahem, adviser on monster matters.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2025
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Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Conditions for the games played on the three cold-weather campuses were, ahem, quite seasonal for the week before Christmas.
—Eric Olson, Twin Cities, 18 Dec. 2025
Bennett didn’t stop, following it up with 17-13-160-2 for 34.5 in Week 15 (but, ahem, a dud in Week 16).
—Jake Ciely, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The cast is chosen well, with Mikkelsen — so diabolically evil and handsome as Hannibal Lecter in Fuller’s ghoulish series — giving another magical, very physical performance, and Sigourney Weaver as his, ahem, adviser on monster matters.
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ahem
Cite this Entry
“Ahem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahem. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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