as in phrases
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
the English idiom "how are you doing?" is our version of a greeting that in some other languages can be translated as "how are you going?"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 idioms
Language is often a reflection of the culture that shapes it, impacting tone, idioms, dialects and even silence across regions.
—
Ryan Kolln, Forbes.com, 26 May 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
The festival, which is organized by West German Radio and has been running in its current form since 1969, favors experimental idioms that customarily avoid obvious political messaging or clear cultural signposts.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
These days, Andersen has the idioms flying in Carolina’s locker room.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Western musical tradition is mostly sidelined in favor of kuduro, gqom, batida, and sounds too free of familiar musical idioms to be easily categorized.
—Will Lynch, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
If the assignment is to translate something from a foreign language, there are plenty of tools and resources that can do it for you, including by recognizing and figuratively translating idioms.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Like fellow North Carolinians Wednesday and MJ Lenderman—local stars descended from the likes of Lucinda Williams and Drive By Truckers—Dowdy carves complex new visions into the idioms of his upbringing.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Ryan Kolln, Forbes.com, 26 May 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
The festival, which is organized by West German Radio and has been running in its current form since 1969, favors experimental idioms that customarily avoid obvious political messaging or clear cultural signposts.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
These days, Andersen has the idioms flying in Carolina’s locker room.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 14 May 2026
The Western musical tradition is mostly sidelined in favor of kuduro, gqom, batida, and sounds too free of familiar musical idioms to be easily categorized.
—Will Lynch, Pitchfork, 11 May 2026
If the assignment is to translate something from a foreign language, there are plenty of tools and resources that can do it for you, including by recognizing and figuratively translating idioms.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.
—Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
Like fellow North Carolinians Wednesday and MJ Lenderman—local stars descended from the likes of Lucinda Williams and Drive By Truckers—Dowdy carves complex new visions into the idioms of his upbringing.
—Jenn Pelly, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idioms
phrases
Noun
-
To encourage environmental awareness, the sanitation department has designed its cans in bright orange with phrases in white lettering inspired by the city’s nightlife.—
Erika Landström,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Throughout history, phrases like this have come up time and again.—
Veronica Angela,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Idioms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idioms. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
