1
2
as in nobody
a person of no importance or influence
it was either write the Great American Novel or be consigned to the status of a cipher in the annals of literature
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to figure
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations
were surprised by how much we had spent on the cruise after we had ciphered out the grand total
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cipher
Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Two streetlamps engaged in a mute but luminous dialogue, an indecipherable Morse code, alluding to the silent exchanges and secret ciphers of strangers who meet there for their trysts.
—Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
An Enigma ciphering machine that was donated to the museum by telecommunications company SIRTI.Photo: Cantalupi, Pavia
One of the artifacts from SIRTI collection was a German ciphering machine used in World War II, an Enigma, Savini says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for cipher
Noun
Like Dostoyevsky, Capote doesn’t portray his killers as demonic ciphers, instead capturing their messy complexity.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 11 Jan. 2026
Two streetlamps engaged in a mute but luminous dialogue, an indecipherable Morse code, alluding to the silent exchanges and secret ciphers of strangers who meet there for their trysts.
—Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Verb
The real challenge from AI will likely emerge in the weeks and months ahead as firms cipher through Judge Mehta’s enforcement of behavioral requirements.
—Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
An Enigma ciphering machine that was donated to the museum by telecommunications company SIRTI.Photo: Cantalupi, Pavia
One of the artifacts from SIRTI collection was a German ciphering machine used in World War II, an Enigma, Savini says.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2020
See All Example Sentences for cipher
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cipher
Noun
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When Dana, who, like Virginia, had been successful in writing pleasant but undistinguished nothings—in her case, songs for Billy Rose’s revues—decided to try taking on more serious music by studying with Boulanger, Virginia entered a deep downward spiral.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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Why did her mom press so hard for the littlest of nothings?—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
4 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Seattle’s John Schneider and New England’s Eliot Wolf rose up from young nobodies to graduate from Green Bay Packers University, too.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Many of Newsom’s critics who breathlessly report on his evil plans (that the left-wing mainstream media supposedly cover up) are just nobodies who feign authority and are obviously fronting for right-wing organizations.—
Dan Walters,
Oc Register,
16 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Listeners have been trying to figure that out.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
As the frantic final seconds unfolded, Huskies coach Dan Hurley figured a timeout would do little good.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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After starters Mitch Keller and David Peterson matched zeros in 42-degree weather, Nick Gonzales lined an RBI single for Pittsburgh with one out in the 10th to break a scoreless tie.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Extrapolating from the National Weather Service estimates, the likelihood of being struck six times is roughly one in 13 septillion—that’s a 13 followed by 24 zeros.—
Jacob Stern,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Dodgers’ $850-million annual revenue dwarfs competitors like the Diamondbacks at $324 million, exemplifying the financial gulf driving owners’ desire for cost controls.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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In a new study published on Monday in the Astrophysical Journal, researchers used computers to simulate the two dwarf galaxies’ 100-million-year-long collision.—
Joseph Howlett,
Scientific American,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The president also revised the tariff levied on metals in finished products, eliminating it for products with less than 15% metal and changing how it is calculated for products with more metal content.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
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At the same time, money market account interest rates are variable, so some conjecture will be required when trying to calculate the interest-earning capacity of an $80,000 deposit.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The demonstrators who remained were lined up outside the building as officers zip-tied their hands behind their backs and loaded them into vans.—
Connor Sheets,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2026
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It can be closed with a full zipper or a trendy quarter zip.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Extra Virgin Hydrating Face Oil is a lightweight yet deeply moisturizing option for the face, neck and hands, helping promote a fresh, radiant appearance without clogging pores.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
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The midsole features foam cushions that provide excellent support while keeping the shoe lightweight.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cipher.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cipher. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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