phrase 1 of 2

noun

ˈfrāz How to pronounce phrase (audio)
Definition of phrasenext
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

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phrase

2 of 2

verb

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

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 phrase
Noun
To borrow a phrase from Simone de Beauvoir, the face is not a thing but a situation—one that is, increasingly, more technically beautiful but more spiritually unattractive, replete with new information but devoid of human meaning. — Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 11 July 2026 As your brand targets a popular keyword or phrase in your industry, a rival agent is likely to take note and formulate their response to it. — Thenuka Karunaratne, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Verb
Talarico acknowledged those comments, calling them poorly phrased. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 27 May 2026 Because Survivor 42 followed the same format with all the exact same twists from Survivor 41—Prisoner's Dilemma, goofy phrases, Hourglass twist, Shot in the Dark, Do or Die—along with many of the same challenges, the entire season often felt like a rerun. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
  1. idiom
  2. say
  3. expression
  4. word
  5. express
Noun
  • Please put on your batteries — a Mexican Spanish idiom that means to cowboy up.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Rooms are comfortable and in the same white idiom, often with jet-black bathrooms; some are duplexes with high ceilings and large windows.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026
Definition of idiom
Verb
  • By applying sunscreen before heading outdoors, reapplying throughout the day and pairing it with other forms of sun protection, Mercer said people can reduce their risk of sunburn, premature skin aging and skin cancer.
    — Kaitlyn Harvey, AJC.com, 17 July 2026
  • Abbott said last year’s disaster reshaped how the state responds to floods.
    — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of say
Noun
  • Concerns for free expression Tyler Coward, the lead counsel for government affairs at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free-speech advocacy group, said Legislature was treating certain ideas as inherently suspect.
    — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
  • And that’s to say nothing of the very real threats to free expression coming from Republicans at every level of government right now.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • Still, the way the ordinance is worded also prohibits teaching yoga for free, Pease pointed out.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
  • Subtle elements, such as how profiles are presented, how events are curated or even how notifications are worded, contribute to this.
    — Gideon Kimbrell, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • The committee has also expressed interest in questioning acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, whose nomination to permanently lead the Justice Department is pending before the Senate.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 July 2026
  • For me, therapy and writing have become healthy ways to express my feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside.
    — Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of express

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Cite this Entry

“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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