variants
also proboscides
as in snouts
the part of the face bearing the nostrils and nasal cavity
if there were a direct relation between mendacity and the length of one's proboscis, hers would be a mile long
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Recent Examples of proboscises
The brain bug's intrinsic ick factor is undeniably high, but using their proboscises to suck thoughts directly from the brains of their unfortunate victims is a pretty neat party trick.
—
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Their long proboscises, like divining rods, gently make inquiries of the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Their long proboscises, like divining rods, gently make inquiries of the stone.
—Literary Hub, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for proboscises
Noun
-
Those strolling around downtown Dallas this weekend might have noticed more tails, claws and snouts than usual.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Monitors are bulkier, with longer necks, narrower snouts and thicker, more muscular tails.—
Sergio Candido,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This includes fruit flies, the fungus gnats in our potted plants, and those little gnats that like to get in our eyes and noses.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Inside, a handheld camera noses into personal conversations like another participant.—
Katie Walsh,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Proboscises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/proboscises. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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