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. verbosity
  6. verbalism
  7. repetitiveness
  8. logorrhea
Noun
  • Songs gain their power from repetition, while symphonies gain theirs from transformation.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
  • The objective is connection, repetition, and a sense of belonging, not a large headcount.
    — Wes Moss, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of repetition
Noun
  • Immigrant inventors contribute to knowledge diffusion across borders.
    — Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
  • Other people emphasize the rules and regulations slowing down diffusion and stymieing change.
    — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 29 June 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Just as the limitless space of web text tempts writers to indulge their logorrhea, the blinking, ever-transmuting, cartoonish interface of web browsers prevents would-be readers from paying attention to anything for longer than about 7 seconds.
    — Barton Swaim, WSJ, 19 Sep. 2022
  • Nor has Musk kept his Twitter logorrhea in check in other respects.
    — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2022
Definition of logorrhea
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 13 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on periphrasis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about periphrasis

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