elephant in the room
noun phrase
: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging
Examples of elephant in the room in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But there’s a problem, an elephant in the room sized one.
—
Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The show doesn’t shy away from the elephant in the room.
—Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Much of the story is driven by Anne and Ginny's complicated and fractious relationship, made even more fraught by the elephant in the room of Nick's estate and a brand new baby on the way.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Finally, near the end of his speech, Butera addressed the elephant in the room.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
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Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The show doesn’t shy away from the elephant in the room.
—Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Much of the story is driven by Anne and Ginny's complicated and fractious relationship, made even more fraught by the elephant in the room of Nick's estate and a brand new baby on the way.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Finally, near the end of his speech, Butera addressed the elephant in the room.
—Spencer Nusbaum, New York Times, 25 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
Cite this Entry
“Elephant in the room.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20in%20the%20room. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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