Definition of phrasingnext
1
as in voice
an act, process, or means of putting something into words research has shown that the phrasing of the question on certain hot-button issues greatly influences the response

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2
as in diction
the way in which something is put into words a particularly delicate and careful phrasing of the statement regarding the nature of the couple's relationship

Synonyms & Similar Words

phrasing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of phrase

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of phrasing
Noun
Her phrasing gives away the fact that the original house is no more. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 9 Sep. 2026 After the commercial break, Hernandez thought better of his phrasing. — Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
Verb
The first step is noticing your own reactivity threshold by identifying the precise moment when a partner’s tone, silence or phrasing triggers a flood of feeling that then drives your behavior. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 But that should be phrasing that should never be used. — Jack Fink, CBS News, 3 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for phrasing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrasing
Noun
  • The challenge is to identify the right voices and build an institution around them, rather than treating them as one-off projects.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • We are constantly connected, yet often isolated, each with our own voice while genuine dialogue can be hard to achieve.
    — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The clarity in the diction may suggest both a way of absorbing difficult emotion and a way of keeping it at bay.
    — Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Lead actor Anthony Ippolito, who landed the part with an unsolicited self-tape, disappears into the garbled diction and hangdog stubbornness of a young Stallone without ever coming off as a mere impression of a person.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Chick-fil-A is bucking a growing fast-food industry trend, with CEO Andrew Cathy saying the chicken chain does not plan to use artificial intelligence to take customers' drive-thru orders.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • On Thursday, the broadcaster added to Maniscalco’s response in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, confirming the timeline and saying Raw Comedy was put out to pasture because of low ratings.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Before trying a peptide strip, check whether the specific formulation, not just the active ingredient, carries that approval.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • If drugstore brands follow prestige lines into oil-in-serum formulations, the two-step routine collapses into one.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document.
    — Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In 2025, the first chime of bells from a mountain pavilion at dawn, accompanied by a gentle morning greeting, creates a space where each collection is experienced independently and explores the versatile expressions of Songmont’s design language.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • With artificial intelligence permeating nearly every aspect of life, therapists are seeing more people expressing anxiety about the technology.
    — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 6 Oct. 2026
  • When Slowing Things Down Actually Speeds Things Up Developing and expressing transformational care takes time.
    — Michael Corvini, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Results dropped significantly for mathematics, where writers have fewer choices in wording.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The wording of a handbook, the employer’s practices, and the circumstances surrounding the job can all be relevant.
    — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Ballard said in articulating an initial defense for keeping the veteran wide receiver on the roster heading into the team's regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In contrast, charismatic signaling typically involves articulating a vision that connects present circumstances with a desirable collective future.
    — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Phrasing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrasing. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

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