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periphrasis

noun

pə-ˈri-frə-səs How to pronounce periphrasis (audio)
Definition of periphrasisnext
as in repetition
the use of too many words to express an idea congressional hearings into the Watergate scandal were marked by an orgy of periphrasis, the expression "at this point in time" being a memorable example

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for periphrasis
  1. repetition
  2. diffusion
  3. circumlocution
  4. garrulity
  5. wordiness
  6. verbosity
  7. verbalism
  8. repetitiveness
Noun
  • The story’s language is incantatory, with repetitions that echo the passing scenery.
    — Anna Mebel, JSTOR Daily, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Robinson said the experience in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude is currently programmed for about 15 minutes of engagement, after which the potential for repetition emerges.
    — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of repetition
Noun
  • The system relies on a gas diffusion electrode, which is a membrane made of the same type of material used in non-stick cookware.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Sep. 2026
  • As diffusion models and computational power matured toward the end of 2023 and into 2024, the frontier inevitably moved to video.
    — Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of diffusion
Noun
  • But in terms of its actual content, the statement was pretty thin gruel, bristling with public relations-style circumlocution and vagueness.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Here, instead, she’s swayed by a dead Diana softly squeezing her hand and kindly hinting — the dead Diana is an ace at tactful circumlocution — that now is the time to show a mourning nation some emotion.
    — Tom Gliatto, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Definition of circumlocution
Noun
  • Flatulent describes inflated, pretentious writing; garrulity describes excessive talkativeness.
    — Gary Gilson, Star Tribune, 31 Oct. 2020
Definition of garrulity
Noun
  • Others speak of letting go and moving on, hinting at ideological skirmishes between nihilism and existentialism which aren’t quite allowed to emerge from beneath the film’s oppressive wordiness until late into its runtime.
    — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of wordiness
Noun
  • His verbosity has become a point of contention.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • Clarity In the AI era, verbosity is free and clarity is expensive.
    — Ankur Shah, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Definition of verbosity
Noun
  • Remaining on stage with gracious verbalism, Batiste first acknowledged the nominees.
    — Allison Hazel, Essence, 9 June 2021
Definition of verbalism
Noun
  • The repetitiveness of the plot is not helped by the many montages writer-director Yandy Laurens uses as shortcuts, instead of writing scenes that show how the central relationship is developing.
    — Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
Definition of repetitiveness
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.

Browse Nearby Words

periphery
periphrasis
periphrastic
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Cite this Entry

“Periphrasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/periphrasis. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on periphrasis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periphrasis

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