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
Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The phrase has become ubiquitous; almost unavoidable.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Students often manage personal cues, entrances, and phrasing while working collectively to maintain cohesion.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
The phrase and hand movements have since gained widespread traction among Gen Alpha and soon spread into the mainstream with sports commentators mentioning it and players using the hand gestures in celebrations.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025
The phrase has become ubiquitous; almost unavoidable.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Yet if apocalypticism is phrased in the rhetoric of visionary metaphor and symbol, then the current climate crisis is rendered in the language of arid climatology and geology, a distinction which makes a huge difference.
—Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
Students often manage personal cues, entrances, and phrasing while working collectively to maintain cohesion.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
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Though the idiom of abuse has changed, the critics are as hostile as ever, while their targets react only with curious torpor.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Following the Qianlong Garden, museum officials said Yangxindian (Hall of Mental Cultivation), the residence and administrative office for Qing emperors, is also expected to reopen this year after completing restoration work that started in 2018.—
Fred He,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
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Darbin Wofford, deputy director of health care for the centrist Democratic group Third Way, said even if there’s an agreement that reopens the government without a subsidy extension, Republicans already own the consequences.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Other Considerations for Your Proposal Have some more questions around how to word your engagement?—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
31 Oct. 2025
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The 2010 exemption specifically targeted Jackson County and was worded to apply only to charter counties with populations between 600,000 and 700,000 people, a population level Jackson County has now surpassed.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Regardless of whether or not there’s truth to Trump’s remarks about Nigeria, some of Minaj’s fans have expressed disappointment in the hip-hop star for aligning herself with the polarizing politician in any capacity.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 2025
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Looking toward the midterms Heading into 2026, many Americans continue to express deep dissatisfaction with their party’s establishment.—
Jeff Harden,
The Conversation,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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