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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Recent Examples of couched
This is another red flag that is often missed because the request is often couched in language around protection or trust.
—
Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
For now, Anteotokounmpo, 31, remains coy, his words wrapped in riddles and his intentions couched in caveats, even as ESPN continues to report that a trade (somewhere) is viewed as inevitable and even as the two-time MVP insists that a trade is not his decision.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Their work was only ever couched as an intelligence program, not a munitions or weapons platform.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
This outlook is refreshing, even if it is ultimately couched in fantasy.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.
—Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
And no matter what anyone does to look younger, Miller wants women to stop with the negative self-talk about aging that’s often couched in seemingly harmless jokes.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Her efforts to come to terms with polyamory are couched as a political project—part of being an open-minded liberal—as much as a romantic one.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors coach couched his criticism Saturday by clarifying that SGA was merely exploiting the system.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 7 May 2026
For now, Anteotokounmpo, 31, remains coy, his words wrapped in riddles and his intentions couched in caveats, even as ESPN continues to report that a trade (somewhere) is viewed as inevitable and even as the two-time MVP insists that a trade is not his decision.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Their work was only ever couched as an intelligence program, not a munitions or weapons platform.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
This outlook is refreshing, even if it is ultimately couched in fantasy.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.
—Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
And no matter what anyone does to look younger, Miller wants women to stop with the negative self-talk about aging that’s often couched in seemingly harmless jokes.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Her efforts to come to terms with polyamory are couched as a political project—part of being an open-minded liberal—as much as a romantic one.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors coach couched his criticism Saturday by clarifying that SGA was merely exploiting the system.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couched
Verb
-
When told of his dismissal, Morey was surprised and expressed disappointment but was understanding.—
Tony Jones,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
In the meantime, Chisholm’s teammates and manager expressed confidence in his ability to turn things around with plenty of baseball left to play.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Journalists and other attendees can be seen crouched under tables as federal officers swarmed the ballroom.—
Jaclyn Diaz,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Inside the restroom, Quinton crouched near a corner.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Another problem with nuclear energy is the price While the cost of generating power from nuclear energy is low, building the plant is what ends up costing so much, said Joseph DeNicola, a senior policy advisor at DEEP.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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But Andrew Spar, the president of the statewide union, said via text that a majority of local teachers unions now fall short of that threshold.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Jocks and mean girls relished in the mainstream, while the freaks and losers huddled over video-game music and alt weirdness.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
8 May 2026
-
One still image captured about two dozen flamingos huddled inside a zoo bathroom, the stall doors closed and the floor covered in straw.—
Douglas Hanks
May 6,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
But the question on the ballot will be phrased differently.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
It’s phrased in a way that sounds perfectly logical.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Its chain was also a new development, a succession of minute oval cartouche articulated together into a graphic and supple outline.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
10 May 2026
-
This week, the 2024 letter in which the Holy See articulated its position was put online.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 May 2026
Verb
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But in a March 19 response to the plaintiffs’ demand letter, Leita Walker, an attorney for Artists Equity, wrote that the film does not purport to tell the true story of that incident or portray real people, which had been stated by a disclaimer in the film’s credits.—
David Fischer,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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Antetokounmpo, who has spent his entire 13-year NBA career with the Bucks, has never publicly requested a trade, but reports earlier this year stated the 6-11 forward was ready for a change of scenery.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
11 May 2026
Verb
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Beijing’s statement after the meeting with the Iranian Foreign Ministry was carefully worded to not blame Iran for the crisis while also calling for greater efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz.—
Selina Wang,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
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When Perkins was arrested in 2012, the law laying out the process was worded differently.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Couched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couched. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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