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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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?
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Recent Examples of paraphrase
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
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
Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
For Bolton, though, the show’s the thing, to paraphrase Hamlet.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Noun
To paraphrase noted philosopher Buddy The Elf: Lauren … here?
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
The congressional power to declare war, like the rest of the Constitution, is not, to paraphrase Justice Robert Jackson, a suicide pact.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026
For Bolton, though, the show’s the thing, to paraphrase Hamlet.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphrase
Noun
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Bookstores and publishers were also stumped about what to do with works in translation, including classics containing passages that could now be seen as problematic, such as Virginia Woolf.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
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The Yale Repertory Theatre is using a 2019 adaptation by Frank Galati, which takes the standard Derek Prouse translation which has been around nearly as long as Ionesco original French script and trims it judiciously for maximum theatrical impact.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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First, Russia’s economic lifeline runs through its oil exports, and higher global energy prices translate directly into a bigger war chest.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
20 Mar. 2026
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This translates to zones 3, 4, and 5.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But the oral histories Katherine conducted, interviewing elderly islanders, with Tepano translating, may have been more valuable still.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
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Stephen and Marissa, with assists from many other Register staffers, have already gotten the translating started.—
Rachel E. Stassen-Berger,
Des Moines Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2026
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After Parish fired upon Avila, the driver sped away but returned and passed by to see if Avila had been shot, according to the SUV occupant interviews summarized in the affidavit.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paraphrase. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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