as in idiom
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
kids drawing literal representations of the phrase "to rain cats and dogs"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
he had trouble thinking of how to phrase his question for the visiting dignitary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of phrase
Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
The world no longer presents itself in coherent phrases.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Slang moves fast, and already there are terms from earlier this year that are phrasing out of popularity.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
In our interview, Mamdani frames the shift as the consequence of listening to New Yorkers, including Jewish leaders, as well as a rabbi who said the phrase evoked memories of bus bombings in Haifa.
—Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
The world no longer presents itself in coherent phrases.
—Alaa Alqaisi
august 13, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
But this is an inane question, inanely phrased, because your letters so admirably inform me of your version of tricks.
—John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Slang moves fast, and already there are terms from earlier this year that are phrasing out of popularity.
—Annabelle Canela, Parents, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
-
He’s been talking about replacing it with a permanent ballroom for a long time, in his usual Dictator Chic idiom.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
1 Aug. 2025
-
This could be in Elsbeth’s usual light and fizzy idiom or perhaps a brief foray into Scandi-noir.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The insect has since been reported in more than a dozen states, with infestations nearly consuming portions of the Northeastern U.S. TDA said the fly was spotted in Middle Tennessee in September 2023.—
Katie Nixon,
The Tennessean,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Overnight temperatures in the Phoenix metro area will only dip to the 90s, the NWS Phoenix office said.—
Chandelis Duster,
NPR,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Conviction rates for lese majeste stand at around 80%, and prosecutors indict around 99% of the time — a huge percentage given the law is vaguely worded and what constitutes lese majeste is not even legally defined, TLHR said.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Wise words indeed, but that means carefully monitoring costs and sources all along the way.—
Louis Biscotti,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Federal legislation banning the app, if its U.S. assets are not sold by ByteDance, came after some government officials expressed concern that TikTok poses a national security threat, believing ByteDance, which is based in Beijing, is sharing U.S. user data with China.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
-
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.—
Irwin Redlener,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share