as in code word
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Recent Examples of dead metaphor
Many of our emotion terms are references to states of the body—we’re downcast, bent out of shape, head over heels, shaken up, down in the mouth—which have slowly rigidified into dead metaphor.
—
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead metaphor
Noun
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So, the vertices that are indexing positions of my code word.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
7 Aug. 2025
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The two decide to remedy that by packing four years' worth of adventure into one extremely chaotic, hilarious night, hyping each other up with compliments and providing unconditional support whenever one of them says their code word: Malala.—
Sophie Dodd,
People.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
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Germany teaches the Holocaust without euphemism, South Africa memorializes apartheid, and Rwanda preserves memory of genocide — nations gain respect by confronting their darkest chapters, not avoiding them.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
27 Aug. 2025
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Sometimes, this stems from their opinion that the supposedly tactful replacements for the R-word are equally if not more offensive — a classic example of the euphemism treadmill in practice.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
22 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What kind of discourse can draw out such analogies while simultaneously acknowledging and preserving difference?—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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And yet, to extend the analogy further, Trump is not flat-lining.—
David M. Drucker,
Twin Cities,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Part of the pleasure is how the rayographs wobble between metaphor and utensil, abstraction and figuration.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
23 Sep. 2025
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That baby grand has become a beautiful metaphor of encouragement, support, and the need to keep going.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Consider, for instance, the use of rhetorical figures such as metaphor or simile.—
Nino Letteriello,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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No metaphors or similes or hyperbolic language needed here – your kids are next.—
Rob Gagnon,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dead metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20metaphor. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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