as in idiom
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
kids drawing literal representations of the phrase "to rain cats and dogs"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
he had trouble thinking of how to phrase his question for the visiting dignitary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of phrase
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
There's one phrase, more a moniker than anything, that Fieri says has come to dominate his public mentions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
Back in 2002, Britney Spears famously wore a Juicy Couture baby T-shirt with the exact same phrase embossed on the fabric.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Feb. 2026
There's one phrase, more a moniker than anything, that Fieri says has come to dominate his public mentions.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
Past statements or e-mails can be taken out of context, with dangerous results, so carefully phrase your statements in board meetings or in e-mails, — and avoid intemperate or sarcastic remarks.
—Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
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Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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Next to the particularities of place—the Midwest, the South—or enmeshed with it, are the particularities of language, of idiom, and ways of saying.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Helen gives the gang a call, saying Billie is at the clinic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
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The company also says the battery can charge in under 10 minutes and last 100,000 cycles.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Krejci’s expression as referee Tom Kirk brandished the red card looked like one of genuine bewilderment.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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This new expression starts out as regular Woodford bourbon, which is aged for about six to seven years in new charred oak barrels (as required by law for bourbon).—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Someone always asks her how to word the text.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
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Bialystok, a cognitive neuroscientist, recommends studying a new language at any age, comparing the challenge to word puzzles and brain-training games that are promoted to slow the onset of dementia.—
Stephen Wade,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some world leaders expressed relief or satisfaction with Friday’s decision.—
Foreign Correspondent,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
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The White House has expressed openness to some Democratic demands, but the two sides have not reached an agreement.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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