as in idioms
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 words
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
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Recent Examples of phrases
Jade Moyano, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
These diagrams break sentences down into noun phrases and verb phrases and then further subdivide them into nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and so forth.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
Lizzo’s understanding of a litany of online phrases is coherent enough, albeit overwhelming to hear all in succession.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Learning basic phrases in a local language is a sign of respect when traveling abroad.
—Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
With Grandma continues that tradition, featuring Creole phrases and translations as well.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
One-by-one the students came up to the mic to say silly phrases that Sheeran looped together to form a rhythm, earning praise from the teachers for his pedagogical skills.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Priority handles refer to usernames comprising full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations.
—PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
There are sounds, and then there are words or phrases that are particular.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
In essence, the Iowa and West Virginia sports cases ask the court to rule whether a transgender girl – a person assigned male at birth who has transitioned to align with their identity as a girl or woman, as the AP Stylebook phrases it – is a girl or a boy.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Extract phrases from calls, build frameworks from notes, convert DMs to posts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
The polite and sensible thing to do is learn basic greetings and phrases.
—Jade Moyano, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
These diagrams break sentences down into noun phrases and verb phrases and then further subdivide them into nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and so forth.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
Lizzo’s understanding of a litany of online phrases is coherent enough, albeit overwhelming to hear all in succession.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
Learning basic phrases in a local language is a sign of respect when traveling abroad.
—Wilson Santiago Burgos, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
With Grandma continues that tradition, featuring Creole phrases and translations as well.
—Keyaira Boone, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
One-by-one the students came up to the mic to say silly phrases that Sheeran looped together to form a rhythm, earning praise from the teachers for his pedagogical skills.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2025
Priority handles refer to usernames comprising full names, multi-word phrases, or alphanumeric combinations.
—PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2025
There are sounds, and then there are words or phrases that are particular.
—Carole Horst, Variety, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
To this day, people come up to him and quote phrases his character used to utter.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
In essence, the Iowa and West Virginia sports cases ask the court to rule whether a transgender girl – a person assigned male at birth who has transitioned to align with their identity as a girl or woman, as the AP Stylebook phrases it – is a girl or a boy.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Extract phrases from calls, build frameworks from notes, convert DMs to posts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrases
Noun
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Music unites the interconnecting stories in this saga and expands its passions, with a sumptuous score by composer Stephen Flaherty and lyricist Lynn Ahrens that taps into a wide range of American styles, idioms and amalgams, even as the second act turns more dissonant.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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The history of labor struggle, infused with religious idioms, is a source of identity and values evident in everything from union meetings in churches to prayers on picket lines.—
The Conversation,
The Conversation,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Ram's driver, Kolton Blees, 30, of Pearcy was injured, the report says.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
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Compact Umbrella London is no stranger to rainy days, and as many cities gear up for less predictable weather this fall and winter, Ali says an umbrella is a must-have item for any trip.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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As advocates have pointed out, these qualifiers are vague enough that they could be wielded against anyone who expresses their sexuality or defies traditional gender roles.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
7 Nov. 2025
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Miss Universe President expresses 'Great indignation' Rocha began his statement by expressing solidarity with the 122 delegates before criticizing Nawat's actions.—
Paula Soria,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrases. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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