1
as in saying
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
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2
as in crouching
to lie low with the limbs close to the body
I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of couching
True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice.
—
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Writers of autofiction have been accused of trying to preëmpt criticism by couching their work in self-awareness.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
After about half an hour of couching his fears in technical language and cautious caveats, the OpenAI CEO finally did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Writers of autofiction have been accused of trying to preëmpt criticism by couching their work in self-awareness.
—Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025
After about half an hour of couching his fears in technical language and cautious caveats, the OpenAI CEO finally did.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couching
Verb
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That’s why what this current Magic team is saying – and not saying – matters so much.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed those concerns in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, saying the suspect did not get very far.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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During the Civil War, popular lithographs depicted Lincoln next to the crouching Black man, and army-camp photographers posed white Union soldiers beside Black men in a similar arrangement.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
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Another photo captures the soon-to-be bride and groom crouching down on the sand with their two pet dogs.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Matthew Harris, of Oakland, allegedly confessed in full to the Wells Fargo bank robbery, expressing remorse and blaming his addiction to fentanyl, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Annamalai has also criticized the AIADMK, the main opposition party in Tamil Nadu since 2021 and the BJP’s key ally in the state, accusing it of corruption and expressing skepticism about the alliance.—
Andrew Pereira,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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No officials huddling up and putting on headphones.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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Now, viral video footage of a group of dogs stranded on the side of a busy roadway in China has drawn plenty of comparisons to the story, showing a reminiscent group of household critters huddling together.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Was Hurzeler merely articulating what others in the game are too diplomatic to say?—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
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But when the lens shifts toward the interior, articulating the woman’s private monologues, the attitude is softer and more generous, even when her words seem steeped in a sense of ongoing dread.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That, in turn, prompted Stephan’s office to release video of the incident and a document Thursday stating that prosecutors from her office had reviewed the police officers’ actions and determined the officers were not criminally liable.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
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Extension preserves an energy source South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster commented on the decision, stating that the extension preserves an energy source that the state relies on as demand grows.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Tucker’s starting to find his way as far as putting the barrel on the ball.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2026
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The Senate Banking Committee advanced Kevin Warsh’s nomination along party lines on Wednesday, putting him on track for confirmation before Powell’s term as chair ends May 15.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Couching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couching. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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