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
When James said the phrase, the large crowd on hand appeared to react. — Joe Vardon, New York Times, 17 July 2026 Spencer adds that the phrase carries a different meaning for women who’ve actually lived through those experiences. — Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 17 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
  • Holden Caulfield is made to tell his own story, in his own strange idiom.
    — Book Marks, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
  • Please put on your batteries — a Mexican Spanish idiom that means to cowboy up.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of idiom
Verb
  • Every year, the Fuller family comes together to celebrate his birthday and death anniversary, something his aunt says helps to keep his spirit alive in the community.
    — Maveah Griffith, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
  • But in comments to The Sacramento Bee, spokespeople for the two companies both said that regardless of how the new ESA interpretation runs out, their timber operations will not destroy marbled murrelet habitat.
    — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of say
Noun
  • The branzino – buttery, substantial and just the right amount of briny – is the most tangible, tasty expression of the theory.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • At an institution where nearly everything else has been muted, the most enduring expression of what the Kennedy Center once was now lives on its smallest stage.
    — Janay Kingsberry, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Definition of expression
Verb
  • 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
  • There isn’t a positive review in sight as the finders rip through strongly worded and insulting critiques from major music publications.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Definition of word
Verb
  • Dee is one of hundreds of United fans who have had similar emails from United, and many are expressing unhappiness about them.
    — Andy Mitten, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Prosecutors say Rivas expressed jealousy over Burke’s relationships with other women, and the two argued about it over text on April 22, 2025.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
Definition of express

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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