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
Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Include the bridge phrases that make these reframes land without resistance.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Clips that focused on Westman’s apparent arsenal not only included names of mass shooters but also showed phrases that had antisemitic undertones.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Chicago police again issued a community alert Tuesday night as antisemitic phrases continue to appear on property in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Her catch phrases and Amayaisms were TV gold.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Finally, Krasa and his colleagues tried decoding more complex phrases without explicit cues.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Aug. 2025
Prior to McEntire taking the stage, as a massive red countdown clock ticked back toward showtime, a DJ played a medley of country and pop hits, turning the volume down during key phrases to let the crowd take over singing duties.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
The employee's actions appeared to be intended for amusement, with the chatbot programmed to read the phrases back in an accent.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Include the bridge phrases that make these reframes land without resistance.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Clips that focused on Westman’s apparent arsenal not only included names of mass shooters but also showed phrases that had antisemitic undertones.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 28 Aug. 2025
But closer to me, and with greater incident, these phrases are inflected by the voice of Hiba Abu Nada, the Gazan poet who was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on October 20, 2023.
—Huda Fakhreddine
august 28, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025
Chicago police again issued a community alert Tuesday night as antisemitic phrases continue to appear on property in the Hyde Park neighborhood.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
Her catch phrases and Amayaisms were TV gold.
—Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2025
Finally, Krasa and his colleagues tried decoding more complex phrases without explicit cues.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Aug. 2025
Prior to McEntire taking the stage, as a massive red countdown clock ticked back toward showtime, a DJ played a medley of country and pop hits, turning the volume down during key phrases to let the crowd take over singing duties.
—Melonee Hurt, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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These systems can interpret regional slang, idioms and context-specific expressions, hence minimizing both over-censorship and under-enforcement.—
Anees Ali Khan,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Allusions to myths, fables, and riffs on common idioms abound, many of them evocative and quite funny.—
Lora Kelley,
New Yorker,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Michôd says that Sweeney was initially tentative about Martin's involvement, wanting to protect her own creative space, but opened up upon realizing that Martin wasn't going to try and control her performance.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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Kentucky’s constitution specifically allows suspects to be held without bail for a crime where the death penalty is on the table, but Stines’ defense team says the state is still required to prove at a hearing that there is enough evidence to presume Stines is guilty in order to keep him locked up.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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If a user expresses thoughts of suicide, Ebb is trained to pass the conversation to a crisis line, Glover says.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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In his voiceover, McElwee frequently addresses Adrian and eulogizes his memory, but also expresses self-critical ruminations about his part in his son’s death, how his filmmaking may have contributed to his shaky self-image and the growing distance between them.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrases. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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