1
as in expressed
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of couched
Sometimes the case for war’s inevitability is couched in expressions of rue and reluctance.
—
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Particularly dangerous is that some of this language has been couched in religious terms, which turns political conflicts into identity ones that are far more difficult to resolve.
—Darren Kew, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
With the most recent idea of a humanitarian corridor couched in the language of protecting Syrian minorities, Israel could be seeking a wider area under more explicit control.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Defamation concerns false statements that are couched as factual and objective.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The web of secrets and confessions, schemes and counterplots, short-term pleasures and far-reaching decisions, are couched in dialogue that is pugnacious, vulnerable, comedic, and sometimes richly poetic, and which feels as spontaneous as it is carefully crafted.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Usually, the question was couched in politeness, but my students (bless them) had not yet learned to be subtle.
—Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025
Particularly dangerous is that some of this language has been couched in religious terms, which turns political conflicts into identity ones that are far more difficult to resolve.
—Darren Kew, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025
With the most recent idea of a humanitarian corridor couched in the language of protecting Syrian minorities, Israel could be seeking a wider area under more explicit control.
—Mireille Rebeiz, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2025
Defamation concerns false statements that are couched as factual and objective.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025
The web of secrets and confessions, schemes and counterplots, short-term pleasures and far-reaching decisions, are couched in dialogue that is pugnacious, vulnerable, comedic, and sometimes richly poetic, and which feels as spontaneous as it is carefully crafted.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couched
Verb
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The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Bowen School of Law or UALR.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Jan. 2026
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Franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was benched for the final games of the season, expressed openness to moving onto another team in search of a fresh start in season-ending interviews this week.—
Frank Nunns OConnell,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Bindi, who won season 21 of the reality dance show with partner Derek Hough, smiled with her arm around Robert, who crouched down next to his dancing partner, Witney Carson.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Rather than playing her violin on her shoulder, the violinist crouched on a rug with Belaji, facing the instrument toward the floor.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In Kyiv, a CNN reporter said that the attack began around midnight, starting with multiple drone strikes on residential buildings.—
Kosta Gak,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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The president said Thursday that the two mortgage giants under government conservatorship, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, have $200 billion in cash that will be used to make the mortgage bond purchases.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mike Lee of Utah, Rick Scott of Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, withheld their votes and huddled with Thune at the back of the chamber.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Senate Republicans huddled on Friday afternoon after Schumer’s floor speech but seemed to see no immediate path forward.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Disney and the Shermans understood that the selection of the right actress was crucial, as that would determine, to some extent, how songs and dialogue would be phrased and presented.—
Todd James Pierce,
Air Mail,
1 Nov. 2025
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Since its first drink in 1954, Harry's Banana Farm in the West Palm Beach area of Florida has been serving up well drinks and plenty of sass, which can usually be seen on the ever-changing and cheekily phrased marquee sign out front.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Mamdani's vision of a more affordable city, articulated through savvy social media videos and upbeat in-person interactions, has clearly resonated with young and first-time voters (even outside of New York).—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
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That message, articulated through Cherry and Hero’s connection, resonates far beyond the screen.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In a press statement, Kratos Defense stated that Northrop Grumman will provide an advanced mission kit for the Valkyrie.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Jan. 2026
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His attorney stated that this was no more than a nasty bar fight.—
Ross Guidotti,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The first claim drew a swift, if carefully worded, denial from the school, followed months later by Hudson’s threat of litigation, which has yet to materialize.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 Dec. 2025
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The 2010 exemption specifically targeted Jackson County and was worded to apply only to charter counties with populations between 600,000 and 700,000 people, a population level Jackson County has now surpassed.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Couched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couched. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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