paraphrase 1 of 2

as in translation
an instance of expressing something in different words your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

paraphrase

2 of 2

verb

as in to translate
to express something (as a text or statement) in different words could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?

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 paraphrase
Noun
Despite the patchwork libretto, Handel ingeniously parlayed Jennens’ quotations and paraphrases from the Old and New testaments into unexpected evocations of wonder and awe. Bob Blaisdell, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024 The combination of support for RFK Jr. and the MAGA paraphrase explain President-elect Donald Trump's choice of the political scion for secretary of Health and Human Services. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024
Verb
To paraphrase Dani Rojas, football is life (and maybe death, too). Jake Coyle, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025 To paraphrase the words of Spider-Man, Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt, with great freedom comes great responsibility. John Werner, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphrase
Noun
  • English translation Copyright © 2025 by Natasha Wimmer.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Santiago-Romero sought reelection for a second term and has recently focused on funding for home repair programs, entrepreneur grants and translation services.
    Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • According to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Schwarber could end up with a deal worth around four years and $140 million, which would translate to approximately $35 million per season.
    Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2025
  • The PolyU team conducted a detailed review of TSC performance, analysing how to translate lab success into real-world durability.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Drafting in English and translating often produces stilted, unnatural messages.
    Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Valeria was able to do any translating, and with help from furniture donated by neighbors the Haskells converted their three-bedroom house into a five-bedroom house to accommodate the Zarutskas along with themselves, Valeria’s adult daughter, and three dogs.
    Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • This Batul Hassan piece in Jacobin summarizes some of Mamdani’s more popular plans.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The resulting feature was published on March 14, 2022, publicly summarizing the case for the first time in years and providing Army CID contact information.
    Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paraphrase. Accessed 22 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on paraphrase

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!