1
as in saying
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
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2
as in crouching
to lie low with the limbs close to the body
I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of couching
True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Writers of autofiction have been accused of trying to preëmpt criticism by couching their work in self-awareness.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
After about half an hour of couching his fears in technical language and cautious caveats, the OpenAI CEO finally did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Writers of autofiction have been accused of trying to preëmpt criticism by couching their work in self-awareness.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
After about half an hour of couching his fears in technical language and cautious caveats, the OpenAI CEO finally did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couching
Verb
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The Lakers are saying very nice things about the defending champion Thunder ahead of their second-round matchup.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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But financial advisors disputed that characterization, saying $465,000 wouldn't necessarily qualify someone as being wealthy in retirement — especially when that nest egg might have to be spread over roughly two or three decades.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
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During the Civil War, popular lithographs depicted Lincoln next to the crouching Black man, and army-camp photographers posed white Union soldiers beside Black men in a similar arrangement.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Another photo captures the soon-to-be bride and groom crouching down on the sand with their two pet dogs.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Nobody was more dependable in expressing formal gratitude than my mother.—
Nicholas Dawidoff,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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Trump has gone back and forth over whether the war will end, at times expressing optimism and at other times saying Russia and Ukraine should be left to fight it out to the bitter end.—
Darlene Superville,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
Verb
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No officials huddling up and putting on headphones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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Now, viral video footage of a group of dogs stranded on the side of a busy roadway in China has drawn plenty of comparisons to the story, showing a reminiscent group of household critters huddling together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Moore did a good job on Maher’s show of articulating the problems with closed primaries.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
3 May 2026
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Was Hurzeler merely articulating what others in the game are too diplomatic to say?—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her arrest follows an announcement earlier in the week from the district stating an unidentified female teacher had been put on leave during an investigation.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
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In other business, No Hobart Data Centers representative Joseph Conn read highlights from an email sent to city officials by Jennifer Williams stating there had been multiple violations of Indiana’s Open Door Law in regard to public notice of the May 7 Hobart Plan Commission meeting.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Verb
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Former First Lady Laura Bush is credited with putting these delicious cookies—packed with oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips—on the map.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
6 May 2026
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But putting people in an immersive environment to experience the tsunami without the deadly consequences of being there in person turned out to be the best way to help people grasp the scale.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Couching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couching. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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