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
Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
The history of labor struggle, infused with religious idioms, is a source of identity and values evident in everything from union meetings in churches to prayers on picket lines.
—The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, analytical software has revolutionized linguistic inquiry, enabling greater understanding of the ways language works—when, how, and why words break out; the specific contexts for expressions and idioms.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
These systems can interpret regional slang, idioms and context-specific expressions, hence minimizing both over-censorship and under-enforcement.
—Anees Ali Khan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Allusions to myths, fables, and riffs on common idioms abound, many of them evocative and quite funny.
—Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
The history of labor struggle, infused with religious idioms, is a source of identity and values evident in everything from union meetings in churches to prayers on picket lines.
—The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, analytical software has revolutionized linguistic inquiry, enabling greater understanding of the ways language works—when, how, and why words break out; the specific contexts for expressions and idioms.
—Stefan Fatsis, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2025
These systems can interpret regional slang, idioms and context-specific expressions, hence minimizing both over-censorship and under-enforcement.
—Anees Ali Khan, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Allusions to myths, fables, and riffs on common idioms abound, many of them evocative and quite funny.
—Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for idioms
phrases
Noun
-
The polite and sensible thing to do is learn basic greetings and phrases.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
-
These diagrams break sentences down into noun phrases and verb phrases and then further subdivide them into nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and so forth.—
Steve Nadis,
Quanta Magazine,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Idioms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/idioms. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share