1
as in expressed
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 couched
For now, Anteotokounmpo, 31, remains coy, his words wrapped in riddles and his intentions couched in caveats, even as ESPN continues to report that a trade (somewhere) is viewed as inevitable and even as the two-time MVP insists that a trade is not his decision.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Their work was only ever couched as an intelligence program, not a munitions or weapons platform.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
This outlook is refreshing, even if it is ultimately couched in fantasy.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.
—Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
And no matter what anyone does to look younger, Miller wants women to stop with the negative self-talk about aging that’s often couched in seemingly harmless jokes.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Her efforts to come to terms with polyamory are couched as a political project—part of being an open-minded liberal—as much as a romantic one.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors coach couched his criticism Saturday by clarifying that SGA was merely exploiting the system.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The way the story is being couched, Audi is going to build its new TT coupe whether Porsche forges ahead with the 718 EV or not.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2026
Their work was only ever couched as an intelligence program, not a munitions or weapons platform.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026
This outlook is refreshing, even if it is ultimately couched in fantasy.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 15 Apr. 2026
One associate dean couched the misstep as a result of learning pains tied to the adoption of new technology.
—Emily Hodgson Anderson, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
And no matter what anyone does to look younger, Miller wants women to stop with the negative self-talk about aging that’s often couched in seemingly harmless jokes.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 23 Mar. 2026
Her efforts to come to terms with polyamory are couched as a political project—part of being an open-minded liberal—as much as a romantic one.
—Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 18 Mar. 2026
The Golden State Warriors coach couched his criticism Saturday by clarifying that SGA was merely exploiting the system.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
The way the story is being couched, Audi is going to build its new TT coupe whether Porsche forges ahead with the 718 EV or not.
—Byron Hurd, The Drive, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couched
Verb
-
Leon has expressed reservations about the project's $400 million private financing arrangement and the lack of congressional input.—
Arden Farhi,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Bureau employees expressed concerns that his behavior posed a threat to public safety.—
Robert B. Reich,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The crawl space opened, and a man entered, while another crouched just outside, wielding a knife.—
Shelly Kittleson,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
-
In the hospital foyer, the couple paused for selfies and crouched to speak with children in wheelchairs.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The cult of Santa Muerte could, of course, be said to be in the thrall of that fantasy, but the same could be said of the cult’s main antagonist, the Catholic Church, which has vociferously denounced the movement.—
Chris Wiley,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Charles and Camilla will then tour the White House, the embassy said, before moving on to a garden party hosted at the British Ambassador’s residence.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Because the cameras were vertical, actors huddled closer together, and the crew paid extra attention to upper-body details like hair and makeup.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The opening act had started playing—a local band that never broke out, Sacagawea—but Russ and Cherry just huddled a little closer and kept talking.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But the question on the ballot will be phrased differently.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
It’s phrased in a way that sounds perfectly logical.—
Mikey O'Connell,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sullivan articulated what needed to be said publicly around this franchise for years.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In 1949, Donald Hebb, a Canadian psychologist, articulated a theory of learning now known as Hebbian plasticity.—
Yasemin Saplakoglu,
Quanta Magazine,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Out of 10 sloths that arrived from Peru in February 2025, two were dead on arrival, and the remainder were emaciated and in very poor health, the report stated.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tornadoes are expected to be an isolated threat, but the threat for stronger tornadoes has expanded to encompass much of Arkansas, the email stated.—
Remington Miller,
Arkansas Online,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When Perkins was arrested in 2012, the law laying out the process was worded differently.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Separation is particularly risky from a controlling partner, or perhaps more aptly worded, from someone who is losing control.—
Kathryn Spearman,
The Conversation,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Couched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couched. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
