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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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
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This phrase has spun into a corporate euphemism, often one in which the motive is already pre-drawn: conversion.—
Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Create 5 different metaphors or analogies that would make this idea immediately clear to THIS specific client based on their background and references.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The pearl, in this analogy, is an interpretive reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Create 5 different metaphors or analogies that would make this idea immediately clear to THIS specific client based on their background and references.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
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The Hollong tree, central to the film’s title, serves as a subtle metaphor.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 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 9 Sep. 2025.
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