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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 couched
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
The way the story is being couched, Audi is going to build its new TT coupe whether Porsche forges ahead with the 718 EV or not.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Republicans often couched their fury at speech restrictions — around right-wing cultural politics and COVID-19, in particular — as part of a broader critique of corporate power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Thursday’s announcement was couched in terms of cost.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
And even then, it was couched in the polite, ambiguous language.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
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
The way the story is being couched, Audi is going to build its new TT coupe whether Porsche forges ahead with the 718 EV or not.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Republicans often couched their fury at speech restrictions — around right-wing cultural politics and COVID-19, in particular — as part of a broader critique of corporate power.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 16 Feb. 2026
Thursday’s announcement was couched in terms of cost.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026
And even then, it was couched in the polite, ambiguous language.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couched
Verb
-
However, the same poll found 56 percent of adults expressed support for policies aimed at protecting trans people from discrimination in jobs, housing and public spaces.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Nearly all of the lawmakers have either expressed interest or have not shut down the idea about running for president.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When The Times connected with Reyes, she was crouched down backstage at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College in the Bronx.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jones’ wife Marie came out to the mound for the first pitch with daughters Jami and Staci, who threw the ball to Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman crouched behind the plate.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His mother, Erica, said the decision was also emotional for their family.—
Chelsea Jones,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Workers who rely on Marketplace plans may start choosing jobs based primarily on benefits rather than fit, McGough said.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Molly was huddled underneath the waterfall, just a few meters from the rocky spot where her owner had fallen.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The clip showed Molly huddled and shivering near the rocks before a rescuer grabbed her.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
It’s phrased in a way that sounds perfectly logical.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
-
That echoed similar sentiments—though perhaps a bit more critically phrased—from fellow racers.—
Adam Ismail,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Murray Rothbard, a libertarian economist who advised Buchanan, had articulated a similar imperative.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Ralph Gleason, the Chronicle music critic who mentored Wenner and co-founded the magazine with him, articulated the position that the rock revolution should be taken as more than just teenage whimsy.—
James Sullivan,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Later the same day, police received another report of the suspects allegedly stealing from the Alo store on Newbury Street, BPD stated.—
Grace Zokovitch,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
In a separate 2019 document released by the DOJ, a man claiming to be a former part-time paramedic at the jail called in an uncorroborated tip to the FBI and stated that Epstein had paid for a closed section of the jail to be reopened for his use, to avoid being housed with the general population.—
Daniel Ruetenik,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
State election code requires ballot measures be neutrally worded.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
If the Heat hadn’t worded the trade that way, then Miami would be at greater risk of the first-round pick conveyed to Charlotte being unprotected.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Couched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couched. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
