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
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
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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Reyes defended the compensation, saying it was negotiated in good faith.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other officials disputed the DHS claims, saying videos showed the woman driving away from agents, not aiming at them.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In the black-and-white shot, Stewart, 35, and Meyer, 38 — still in their casual wedding attire — can be seen crouching down next to each other while happily petting their dog.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
6 Jan. 2026
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Longoria could also be seen ditching her pants in another look, crouching on the ground in a cheeky brown bodysuit with a mock neck design.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, one woman recently shared a personal experience when expressing genuine emotion clashed with workplace expectations.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
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Spoelstra was remarkably upbeat before the game, offering gratitude for the outpouring of support from the NBA community and expressing relief that nobody was injured in the inferno.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Ohio State continued huddling in the second half and put together touchdown drives of 82 and 75 yards, keeping the Miami D-line at bay and allowing just one sack.—
Cameron Teague Robinson,
New York Times,
1 Jan. 2026
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Longtime residents can’t forget his iconic image of flamingos huddling in the bathroom for safety against monstrous Hurricane Andrew in August 1992.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Hazareesingh and Gibson emphasize the revolution’s role in articulating a radical idea of universal rights and cultivating new forms of democratic participation.—
Laurent Dubois,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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Its new security strategy emphasizes the need for greater investment in critical mineral supply chains, but without articulating a vision for how those minerals should be used.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The story goes that Monchi rang them up, simply stating that Villa wanted to sign their best player.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
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Newton said the woman got closer to him and started threatening him by stating that her husband would beat him up.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Naval build-up China has built world’s largest navy, launching high-tech warships at a frenetic pace under Xi’s leadership, putting pressure on the United States and its Pacific allies to keep up.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Even calling it a magazine is a conscious way of trying to distinguish the work producers are putting months and months of effort into recording and writing from what podcasting has become.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Couching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couching. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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