as in idiom
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 to say
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of phrase
Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
For those of us old enough to remember Martin (or caught up through reruns), that phrase is etched into our pop culture vocabulary.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
The crisis experts phrased it differently.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
Typically, these phrases should be taken with a grain of salt.
—Kristine Gill, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2025
For those of us old enough to remember Martin (or caught up through reruns), that phrase is etched into our pop culture vocabulary.
—Angel Diaz, Billboard, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
His own, well, grumpiness, as his pitching coach phrases it in the most complimentary of ways.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 27 Mar. 2025
The crisis experts phrased it differently.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
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Ultimately, Andrews and his actors find Chekhov by abandoning the paraphernalia of the writer’s universe and groping, in their own idiom, across a perilously empty stage, toward one another.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Apr. 2025
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Which is fitting for a composer who, even when developing a homegrown idiom of his own, was criticized for sounding too European.—
Joshua Barone,
New York Times,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The once-daily version of the pill was in early-stage testing, with researchers trying to figure out the best dose for patients, a spokeswoman said.—
Time,
Time,
15 Apr. 2025
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Meghan Markle is said to be making a sweet-as-honey gesture toward her father-in-law.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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It was carefully worded to only allow a president who has served two nonconsecutive terms to seek a third one, which would prevent former Presidents Obama and Bush from returning.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
1 Apr. 2025
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The documents drop includes texts between prosecutors in the case debating on how to word the indictment.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Yi Ming’s personal resilience and love of light is expressed in the work.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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Researchers have also expressed concerns about potential corrosion of storage containers, specifically the copper canisters.—
Marta Abbà,
Wired News,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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