1
as in equipment
items needed for the performance of a task or activity
mountain-climbing paraphernalia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in possession
transportable items that one owns
packed up all of their paraphernalia for the move across the country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 paraphernalia
That same day, her misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of narcotic drugs were both dismissed.
—
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The driver tossed a black lunch box full of drug paraphernalia from the vehicle.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Teresa Roundy, a mayoral candidate, pleaded guilty in 2023 to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The public’s interest in such paraphernalia had never made much sense to Mantle.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paraphernalia
Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2025
The driver tossed a black lunch box full of drug paraphernalia from the vehicle.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
Teresa Roundy, a mayoral candidate, pleaded guilty in 2023 to misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The public’s interest in such paraphernalia had never made much sense to Mantle.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for paraphernalia
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphernalia
Noun
-
Axon is known for making law enforcement equipment including drones and tasers.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
These simple drills require no equipment and are effective for anyone — weekend warriors and elite athletes alike.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Mavs have had one of the NBA’s worst offenses, ranking second-to-last in points per possession.—
Lawrence Dow,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Take, for example, an 18-yard, over-the-middle strike to Nailor on the team’s second possession Sunday.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
There, federal agents with tactical gear, armored trucks and rifles clashed with protestors, according to the New York Times.—
Briah Lumpkins,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Do something to distract from the still-chilly temps by getting your gear ready.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Those on nine-month contracts must devote 480 hours to instruction — which can include things like lab work, clinical work and internships in addition to lecture time — over the course of the contract.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Because, in waking life, the truth is that things haven’t been the same since the strain of raising two young kids started to wear on their parents.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
In China, fields that are important to national security, such as aerospace technology, do not exist independently from the state security apparatus.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
-
But Weber was always convinced that what his apparatuses were seeing was a real signal.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
So, between lockable zippers, anti-slash fabric, and RFID blockers, the right bag needs to pull quadruple duty in protecting your belongings.—
Claire Gallam,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The purse also has multiple pockets, including a zipper pocket and a slip pocket inside, as well as an exterior pocket on the back to keep belongings organized.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The movie also has an ace in the hole with Glen Powell, one of the few contemporary alpha-charisma actors that feel built for stuff like this and believably might have been bred in a farm upstate that specializes in All-American movie stars with gajillion-watt grins.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The new regulations are supposed to regulate all hazardous transport through the reservation, not just uranium, but also oil and gas, methane, whatever kind of radioactive stuff.—
Arlyssa D. Becenti,
AZCentral.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Paraphernalia.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paraphernalia. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share