expression

Definition of expressionnext
1
as in voice
an act, process, or means of putting something into words the poem is his expression of his grief upon the loss of his beloved wife

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2
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling we could tell by the fans' expressions that the Chicago Cubs had lost again

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3
as in term
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field the expression "John Doe" is used in legal proceedings to refer to a person whose actual name is either unknown or being withheld from the public

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4
as in phrase
a sequence of words having a specific meaning the popular expression "raining cats and dogs" is meaningless in other languages

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expression Her face, usually settled into a general look of detachment, would take on deeply significant expressions, all revolving around a plea for forgiveness. Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026 Beam also upgraded its Jim Beam Black expression last year with the release of Jim Beam Black Extra Aged. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 June 2026 In May there were 1,311 protests, complaints and expressions of dissent in Cuba, according to a report from the Observatorio Cubano de Conflictos, part of the Human Rights Foundation in Cuba. Sarah Moreno june 5, Miami Herald, 6 June 2026 June’s astro-weather challenges your love life, creative expression and emotional boundaries — Mercury in Cancer, for instance, will clash with Saturn, which can trigger a serious conversation around dating, children or a passion project of sorts. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for expression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expression
Noun
  • Even their voices are switched with microchip implants.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
  • The pain in her voice is clear a decade later.
    Ted Scouten, CBS News, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • This foundation stick blends buildable coverage with hours of hydration, thanks to hyaluronic acid that plumps skin from within and visibly softens the look of fine lines both immediately and over time.
    Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 13 June 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Silver Moss pair takes on a stormy look that’s well-suited for late summer nights, while the Quicksand variation does its best wheat work boot impression for a look that will transition seamlessly into fall.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • During the four-month primary campaign, Raman offered withering critiques of Bass’ first term, saying the mayor failed to act with urgency on homelessness, apartment construction, street repairs and the exodus of entertainment jobs from the region.
    Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
  • Gonzales, a 43-year-old two-term state senator from Denver, has framed her candidacy in large part as a progressive critique and challenge to the Democratic Party’s more moderate standard-bearers, like Hickenlooper.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 7 June 2026
Noun
  • The phrase is commonly used in restaurant kitchens and originated at soda counters in the 1930s, according to the dictionary.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 11 June 2026
  • As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • The study had tested three different formulations of its new shot.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • These formulations are generally better for sensitive and acne-prone skin.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 10 June 2026
Noun
  • Anyone who didn’t have a big silly smile on their face after that did not deserve to be watching the Tonys at all.
    Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 June 2026
  • Sarah Pidgeon flashes a sweet smile at the opening night of the new musical Girl, Interrupted on June 4 in New York City.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • The game’s objective is to group words or objects into four groups of four based on commonalities within each group as quickly as possible.
    Mark Cooper, New York Times, 8 June 2026
  • Already, attention must be paid, and italics must be used, because eyepatch Armand is, to use his favorite word, fascinating.
    Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 8 June 2026
Noun
  • The Suez Canal incident of March 2021 revealed the same pattern in a different idiom.
    Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
  • Probably because at the time many of the time signatures and chordal progressions that Miles used were over the head of a young guitar player still functioning in the blues and folk idioms.
    Steve Baltin, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expression. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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