as in idioms
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 words
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 phrases
Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The key is knowing how to read — or listen — between the lines and recognizing that phrases that sound nice and innocent, even kind, are not that at all.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Congress then added two phrases to the final paragraph that portray God as a moral judge and a guiding hand.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
As Mayor Brandon Johnson mulls her successor, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg has returned to one of her favorite phrases.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Kluwe was at least capable of having a real discussion rather than just repeating trite phrases.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
In the world of language, there are certain trends in terms of words that frequently co-occur in phrases or sentences together, some-thing called collocation.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
This may include words or phrases found in Google searches or in emails.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
In essence, the Iowa and West Virginia sports cases ask the court to rule whether a transgender girl – a person assigned male at birth who has transitioned to align with their identity as a girl or woman, as the AP Stylebook phrases it – is a girl or a boy.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Extract phrases from calls, build frameworks from notes, convert DMs to posts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Noun
This doesn’t mean that unique phrases can be stolen with impunity, or even that people shouldn’t feel morally obligated to acknowledge the sources of their inspiration.
—Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 24 Apr. 2026
The key is knowing how to read — or listen — between the lines and recognizing that phrases that sound nice and innocent, even kind, are not that at all.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Congress then added two phrases to the final paragraph that portray God as a moral judge and a guiding hand.
—Thomas Tweed, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2026
As Mayor Brandon Johnson mulls her successor, Inspector General Deborah Witzburg has returned to one of her favorite phrases.
—Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Kluwe was at least capable of having a real discussion rather than just repeating trite phrases.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2026
In the world of language, there are certain trends in terms of words that frequently co-occur in phrases or sentences together, some-thing called collocation.
—Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
This may include words or phrases found in Google searches or in emails.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2026
No one even attempts the accent, and a few kitschy phrases are not going to cut it, not even from supporting stars like Henry Winkler and Lena Headey.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
To this day, people come up to him and quote phrases his character used to utter.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
In essence, the Iowa and West Virginia sports cases ask the court to rule whether a transgender girl – a person assigned male at birth who has transitioned to align with their identity as a girl or woman, as the AP Stylebook phrases it – is a girl or a boy.
—Morgan Marietta, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Extract phrases from calls, build frameworks from notes, convert DMs to posts.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrases
Noun
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If the assignment is to translate something from a foreign language, there are plenty of tools and resources that can do it for you, including by recognizing and figuratively translating idioms.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Those books introduced me to a vision of American teenage life and taught me the rhythms and idioms of American English, nuances that would later replace my Britishisms and shape my career as a journalist.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There is a sign out there that says, ‘Keep an eye out,’ because there’s some messaging coming shortly.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Last year's picture day was different, however, as the mom of two says Emma was happy to pose for the photos.—
Georgia Slater,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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What the behavior expresses, Berg added, is a deeper desire to be seen.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Under the bill, minors could not create accounts without parental consent, and parents would gain sweeping control — including the ability to review chatbot conversations, limit usage times, and receive alerts if a child expresses intent to harm themselves or others.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phrases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrases. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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