phlegm

noun

ˈflem How to pronounce phlegm (audio)
Definition of phlegmnext
as in numbness
a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness a man of remarkable phlegm, never showing enthusiasm nor displeasure

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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 phlegm Population surveys also link vaping to chronic cough, phlegm, bronchitis, shortness of breath, asthma flares and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—or COPD. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026 Those sacs of air fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and trouble breathing, according to the clinic. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025 The second is having either 10 or more pack years of smoking, or symptoms of cough, phlegm and trouble breathing. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025 Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for phlegm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phlegm
  1. numbness
  2. emptiness
  3. coldness
  4. apathy
Noun
  • According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Webb, the Oklahoma radiologist, documented four times that a patient lacked numbness, and yet his WISeR application was still denied, citing numbness, which, in the reviewer's interpretation, would rule out the spinal surgery procedure.
    — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Definition of numbness
Noun
  • Here, emptiness is not vacancy, but composure, proportion and room for thought.
    — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Not even foundations are visible, and a long gravel road toward that part of the island leads past occasional farms and vast swaths of emptiness and then, finally, to a muddy riverbank thick with mosquitos.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • The world of Pride and Prejudice expects women to accommodate male pride as a social fact, to smooth over awkwardness, to accept that status and wealth compensate for coldness or indifference.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
  • Her fierce intelligence helps paper over some of the screenplay’s rougher transitions, and even lends a measure of legibility to Sylvia’s sudden coldness.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Definition of coldness
Noun
  • That positive word of mouth would overcome the apathy towards the film's plot and the off-putting remarks from Alcock.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • In the lead-up to this summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup, critics complained about prices, domestic politics, international geopolitics, supposed fan apathy, logistical hurdles and more.
    — Andrés Martinez, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
Definition of apathy

Browse Nearby Words

phishers
phlegm
phlegmatic
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Cite this Entry

“Phlegm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phlegm. Accessed 17 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on phlegm

Nglish: Translation of phlegm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phlegm

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