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
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Recent Examples of phrase
Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025
What’s the old phrase: 3 million Elvis fans can’t be wrong?
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2025
One question, phrased many different ways, remains: Can the Bengals pull this off?
(Top photo: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
Paul Dehner Jr. is a senior writer for The Athletic.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
And the phrases in the singalong chorus generally start on the second beat of a measure, leading to the downbeat of the next bar; thus, they’re built from musical pickups.
—Tom Roland, Billboard, 12 Mar. 2025
What’s the old phrase: 3 million Elvis fans can’t be wrong?
—Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
The actress was responding to a reporter who pressed the now Oscar winner about those in the Mexican community who felt hurt by the film, particularly since, as the reporter phrased it, Mexico was at the heart of the story.
—Nicole Fell, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2025
One question, phrased many different ways, remains: Can the Bengals pull this off?
(Top photo: Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
Paul Dehner Jr. is a senior writer for The Athletic.
—Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
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There is a French idiom that says when something is so easy, it can be done with ‘les doigts dans le nez’ — the fingers in the nose.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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While often used sarcastically to mock true believers, the idiom reflects Italy’s enduring ambiguity toward Fascism, even 80 years after its fall.—
Mattia Ferraresi,
airmail.news,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Doherty says Cooper — who makes his acting debut in the series — impressed her.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
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There is no reason to say that the current challenges render AI’s implementation impossible.—
William Tarr,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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For instance, there might be wording that says ESPN can use other footage of Gastineau and that the contractual reference to modification concerned his sit-down interview and filming session.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2025
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Turns out that the stepwise reasoning was insidiously worded by the AI to avoid tipping its hand that a cheating effort was underway.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The Baltimore Sun would do well to print letters expressing ideas and opinions with a civil tone.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2025
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At its conclusion, the foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing their vision on several important matters, including Ukraine, the Middle East, Asia and the Indo-Pacific, Haiti, and Venezuela, among others.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
18 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.
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