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
Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Choose your combination of numbers, shapes, or phrases, and then choose your filling.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 May 2025
Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Include how to phrase these questions tactfully and what responses might indicate a poor fit.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
This campaign is completely antithetical to the phrase’s original intent.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025
Choose your combination of numbers, shapes, or phrases, and then choose your filling.
—Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 May 2025
Verb
Transcribe phrases that resonate or challenge you.
—Alejandra Rojas, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Include how to phrase these questions tactfully and what responses might indicate a poor fit.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
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But the nature of all idioms is that their meaning cannot be deduced from their components; the phrase kicked the bucket does not put the English speaker in the mind of an actual bucket, just as the word death does not remind him terribly of the letter D.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
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Best known as a savvy drummer deeply versed in a broad swath of pre-World War II idioms like ragtime, Delta blues, and swing, Devine is at home surrounded by the artifacts and ephemera that captured the sounds and spirit of that era.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Verb
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Trump has said that former President Joe Biden abused both TPS and humanitarian parole – two programs which grant temporary legal status to immigrants.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
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In an interview, Vance had said Christian teachings advocate for prioritizing love, first for family, then neighbors, community, fellow citizens, and lastly, the world.—
Rhona Tarrant,
CBS News,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Similarly, much of the military is led by presidential appointees and is under the command of the president, who has broadly worded statutory authority to deploy the military in a range of domestic situations.—
Mariano-Florentino Cuéllar,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Apr. 2025
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Watch out for similar phrases or wording in the reviews, or an overwhelming number of five-star reviews.—
Kara Fellows,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2025
Verb
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During arguments before the Supreme Court, several of the justices expressed concerns about the use of nationwide injunctions, but John Sauer, President Donald Trump’s solicitor general, faced pushback this week about whether limiting injunctions was appropriate in this case.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Keep telling the stories and keep expressing yourself.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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