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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of phrase
David H. Rosmarin, Time, 10 June 2026
What resonated with me was the emotion and possibility behind that phrase, but without defining exactly what the bridal experience should look or feel like.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
And while there’s no way to phrase this without trafficking in understatement, the long-running arrangement is nothing if not mutually beneficial.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
The phrase captures something important.
—David H. Rosmarin, Time, 10 June 2026
What resonated with me was the emotion and possibility behind that phrase, but without defining exactly what the bridal experience should look or feel like.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 10 June 2026
Verb
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
And while there’s no way to phrase this without trafficking in understatement, the long-running arrangement is nothing if not mutually beneficial.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
-
Mercedes designs its latest luxury models in China to incorporate Chinese tastes and cultural idioms, debuting them exclusively at Chinese auto shows.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
9 June 2026
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The Suez Canal incident of March 2021 revealed the same pattern in a different idiom.—
Dr. Aditya Vikram Kashyap,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The two sisters entered the restaurant, ran behind the counter and attacked the 23-year-old employee after they were given a wrong order, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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Iran, meanwhile, said the agreement included the immediate lifting of the US blockade.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Noun
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The top-scoring expression matures for an astounding six years in white American oak barrels.—
Brad Japhe,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
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Salaviza described the short form as a pure mode of expression in which authentic emotion is fundamental, while von Döhren – drawing on her parallel career as an illustrator – emphasized how effectively the format can convey feeling through storytelling.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
The team carefully worded the language of its announcement to allow for a different outcome.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
9 June 2026
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But lawmakers instead foolishly passed a bill (SB 7040), worded far too broadly, that extends the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund for two more years.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
Kwon’s lawyer Sean Hecker said in an email after the sentencing that Kwon spoke from the heart, expressed genuine remorse and will continue his efforts to make amends.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
12 Dec. 2025
-
Governor Wes Moore and other Democrats in the Maryland congressional delegation have expressed support for the project.—
Mike Hellgren,
CBS News,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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