rephrase

verb

re·​phrase (ˌ)rē-ˈfrāz 

rephrased; rephrasing

transitive verb

: to phrase or express (something) in a different way especially to make the meaning clearer

Let me rephrase the question.

… spoke first in precise medical terms, then quickly rephrased them in laymen's language.

—George J. Church and Evan Thomas

Synonyms of rephrase

• translate
• summarize

Examples of rephrase in a Sentence

I don't understand what you're asking—could you rephrase your question?

Recent Examples on the Web

This can be done through repeating or rephrasing questions, paraphrasing the person’s responses, pausing to give the person time to think, and providing simple prompts to help the person remember. —R. Amanda Cooper, The Conversation, 6 Nov. 2025

And while Buster Posey and Vitello did spend an inordinate amount of time describing and then rephrasing that description of what managers are expected to do, an underlying truth cut through: Vitello is a people person — confident in himself but not threatened by other ways of going about things. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 30 Oct. 2025

Frost subsequently asked for his words to be taken down, then rephrased his charge. —Emily Brooks, The Hill, 10 Sep. 2025

They are supposed to be explored, discussed, challenged, rephrased, and re-asked. —Pia Lauritzen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rephrase

• ablaze
• airways
• allays
• always
• amaze
• anglaise
• appraise
• archways
• arrays
• ashtrays
• assays
• ballets