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
Jelly Roll might be significantly smaller following his weight loss, but according to Bunnie Xo, his — ahem — manhood has only done the opposite amid the singer’s health journey.
—
Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2026
This thriller could be a, ahem, cathartic read for the jaded.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Pop legend Taylor Swift’s friends and lovers (ahem, Travis Kelce) can’t stop breaking her chairs and wrecking her house.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Thanks to the camera angles, Bieber's backside was in focus for eagle-eyed Bieber fans (ahem, Beliebers) who believe the black ink in the upper-mid part of his back is an outline of his model wife's face from her March 2020 Elle cover.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 Feb. 2026
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Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 Feb. 2026
This thriller could be a, ahem, cathartic read for the jaded.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
Pop legend Taylor Swift’s friends and lovers (ahem, Travis Kelce) can’t stop breaking her chairs and wrecking her house.
—Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Thanks to the camera angles, Bieber's backside was in focus for eagle-eyed Bieber fans (ahem, Beliebers) who believe the black ink in the upper-mid part of his back is an outline of his model wife's face from her March 2020 Elle cover.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ahem
Cite this Entry
“Ahem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahem. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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