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
Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
After the massive protests in Cuba on July 11, 2021, Wright and Millares created an installation on downtown Miami benches with phrases in support of political prisoners and with a code to add phone credit to cell phones on the island, aiming to help Cubans organize and document what was happening.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Here are 10 phrases approachable people use to make others feel at ease instantly.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
If seed phrases for crypto wallets are exposed, attackers could drain funds permanently.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Learning basic phrases and customs can help travelers engage meaningfully and respectfully in Portugal.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
Words with letters dropped off the end or entire phrases strung together to form new words were seen as improper speech of the uneducated and poor.
—Moriah Humiston, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Here is a beginner’s dictionary for 10 terms and phrases as synonymous with the Masters as pimento cheese and peach ice cream.
—Jack Leo, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Hello French has a free downloadable list of 30 essential phrases for travelers, ranging from Vous parlez anglais?
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
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
In practice, textualism also takes into account the semantic contexts in which words or phrases are used.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Apr. 2026
After the massive protests in Cuba on July 11, 2021, Wright and Millares created an installation on downtown Miami benches with phrases in support of political prisoners and with a code to add phone credit to cell phones on the island, aiming to help Cubans organize and document what was happening.
—Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2026
Here are 10 phrases approachable people use to make others feel at ease instantly.
—John Bowe, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
If seed phrases for crypto wallets are exposed, attackers could drain funds permanently.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Apr. 2026
Learning basic phrases and customs can help travelers engage meaningfully and respectfully in Portugal.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026
Words with letters dropped off the end or entire phrases strung together to form new words were seen as improper speech of the uneducated and poor.
—Moriah Humiston, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
Here is a beginner’s dictionary for 10 terms and phrases as synonymous with the Masters as pimento cheese and peach ice cream.
—Jack Leo, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026
Hello French has a free downloadable list of 30 essential phrases for travelers, ranging from Vous parlez anglais?
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
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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If the assignment is to translate something from a foreign language, there are plenty of tools and resources that can do it for you, including by recognizing and figuratively translating idioms.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a social post, MSP says the Detroit Regional Communication Center received a call about possible shots being fired in the area of Cloverdale and Woodside avenues in Royal Oak Township.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
There are 31 countries that use nuclear power, which provides about 10% of global electricity, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, which says another 40 nations are either considering the technology or preparing to build a plant.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Bobby, who shares Sophie with ex-wife Kate Connelly, frequently expresses pride over his daughter’s accomplishments.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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In her new British Vogue cover story, Charli expresses a general ennui toward pop stardom.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phrases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrases. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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