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
Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
The song eventually gives way to rhyming dictionary phrases, building toward a half-climax that doesn’t quite land.
—Sameer Rao, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
One of them, named James Rogers, used the same phrases and nicknames Ryan had used in the past and knew information about her and her whereabouts at the time.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
In the livestream, the content creator was seen slurring his words and repeating phrases multiple times while talking with a young woman.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Per People, Peters was slurring his words and repeating phrases to himself toward the end of the stream.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
In practice, textualism also takes into account the semantic contexts in which words or phrases are used.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 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
This may include words or phrases found in Google searches or in emails.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 17 Apr. 2026
The song eventually gives way to rhyming dictionary phrases, building toward a half-climax that doesn’t quite land.
—Sameer Rao, Pitchfork, 17 Apr. 2026
One of them, named James Rogers, used the same phrases and nicknames Ryan had used in the past and knew information about her and her whereabouts at the time.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026
In the livestream, the content creator was seen slurring his words and repeating phrases multiple times while talking with a young woman.
—Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Per People, Peters was slurring his words and repeating phrases to himself toward the end of the stream.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Apr. 2026
In practice, textualism also takes into account the semantic contexts in which words or phrases are used.
—Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 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
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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
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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 21 Apr. 2026.
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