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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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
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Here’s a handy decoder for the code words used by flight attendants.—
Forbes.com,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
Noun
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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
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And now Netanyahu announces a military takeover of Gaza City… which most informed commentators understand as a euphemism for the colonization of Gaza.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The interesting thing here is taking that analogy to the bitter lesson.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
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That’s as far as the analogy goes, though film fans can easily guess who is Mr. Potter in this scenario.—
Rance Collins,
IndieWire,
26 July 2025
Noun
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Alaska, purchased from Russia 158 years ago for $7.2 million, was supposed to be a clever metaphor for American strength.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
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Pro-Kremlin voices praised the gesture as political trolling, with some likening the meal to a metaphor for Russia's stance on Ukraine.—
Hannah Parry
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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What’s the difference between a simile and a metaphor?—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
30 May 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 19 Aug. 2025.
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