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.
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Recent Examples of expression
Karl-Anthony Towns, who was on the podium with him, took off his glasses and looked at his teammate with a bewildered expression.
—
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Through five portraits of relatives and mentors, five expressions of resistance, the filmmaker sketches her life story.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 May 2026
The film’s unspeakably haunting final shot typifies Cannes 2026 to a tee, its free-floating detachment from reality doubling as a revelatory expression of our own relationship to it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
But there is a difference between his expression of unflinching conservatism, on the bench and off, and his willingness, even his zeal, to condemn an entire political movement, one with more than historical interest.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for expression
Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
Through five portraits of relatives and mentors, five expressions of resistance, the filmmaker sketches her life story.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 22 May 2026
The film’s unspeakably haunting final shot typifies Cannes 2026 to a tee, its free-floating detachment from reality doubling as a revelatory expression of our own relationship to it.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
But there is a difference between his expression of unflinching conservatism, on the bench and off, and his willingness, even his zeal, to condemn an entire political movement, one with more than historical interest.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for expression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expression
Noun
-
Jazz values each member’s unique voice.—
Steven D. Reske,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Her voice sounded cold and disappointed.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Thus, Mueller gave Kuziela a closer look, even before the growth spurt.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
Atkinson threw a mini tantrum then sat in his chair, the look of defeat on a coach knowing what comes next.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
The soft green tones subtly pull in the olive pillows across my bed, while the abstract landscape design creates a calming, serene vibe that still feels neutral enough to work long term.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
25 May 2026
-
For a city hotel, the rooms are extremely generous in terms of size.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
The phrase actually originates from a speech by 19th-century Irish Parliamentary Party (IPP) leader Charles Stewart Parnell.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
-
Wright’s approach to the saxophone is often cubist in nature, reducing the music to isolated phrases and sounds and then battering them from every conceivable angle.—
Levi Dayan,
Pitchfork,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Their preferences include authentic storytelling, clean formulations and culturally resonant branding, which is shaping product pipelines and marketing strategies.—
FMG Studios,
Footwear News,
20 May 2026
-
Asked to describe her thematic preoccupations as a filmmaker, Sode offers a succinct formulation.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Stephen Colbert is going out with a smile — and with many jokes at CBS and its parent company Paramount’s expense.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
Mama's serene smile is fixed upon her stunningly gorgeous face.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
-
Those words matter because, for many families, overcoming barriers was part of the struggle itself.—
John W. Beacham,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
And why in the world would anyone composing after the Second World War reëmbrace the long-irrelevant late-Romantic idiom of Puccini and Strauss, with its lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and powerful melodies?—
Russell Platt,
New Yorker,
20 May 2026
-
These days, Andersen has the idioms flying in Carolina’s locker room.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expression. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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