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
The theme uses a colloquial phrase almost like a mathematical function. — Sam Corbin, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2026 The title comes from a phrase that became part of his creative vocabulary and began appearing in sketches whenever an absurd situation called for a perfectly incredulous response. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
That term has taken on a life of its own, as people are making dances to phrase and using it in conversation. — Moises Mendez Ii, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Hafley came up with his point guard comparison months ago after watching film of Sieler repeatedly setting up his teammates for sack or, phrased more appropriately, dishing out assists to his teammates. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
  1. idiom
  2. say
  3. expression
  4. word
  5. express
Noun
  • The first Velvet Underground album, the mid-period Beatles, Kinks, and Creedence Clearwater Revival records, with enough time, seem almost like different components to the same idiom.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cinema is, after all, a language, and Belgian filmmakers come from a country built on the need to understand language as a bridge—between its regions, its people, and its idioms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of idiom
Verb
  • Salkar said a medico-legal case had been opened and an autopsy would follow.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of say
Noun
  • The institute is designed to bring public officials, scholars and other leaders to campus while expanding the college’s work around civic engagement, public policy, free expression and leadership.
    — Nora O’Neill October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Companies, too, found ways to sell all natural products, flexibility and individual expression.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • People use it constantly, for meetings, drafts, code, decisions that used to take longer and even for figuring out how to word a response to a difficult colleague.
    — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That being said, neither of their statements seemed as strongly worded as UEFA’s and focused on not being consulted rather than the substance of the proposal.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • With artificial intelligence permeating nearly every aspect of life, therapists are seeing more people expressing anxiety about the technology.
    — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In this Year 1 of a rebuild, Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley continues to express a combination of disappointment and encouragement in his postgame press conferences.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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