elephant in the room
noun phrase
: an obvious major problem or issue that people avoid discussing or acknowledging
Examples of elephant in the room in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The blue Art Deco chairs are beloved by one and all, human and nonhuman—the dogs, naturally, being the elephants in the room.
—
Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Leaving him out is like ignoring the massive autocratic elephant in the room.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Despite the pretty robust protections SAG-AFTRA and the other guilds got the first time around, AI is always going to be the elephant in the room.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
As candidates met with the Tribune Editorial Board Thursday, Jackson was the elephant in the room, while Miller, who attended a later session, was the one outside it.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
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Robert Sullivan, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026
Leaving him out is like ignoring the massive autocratic elephant in the room.
—Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Despite the pretty robust protections SAG-AFTRA and the other guilds got the first time around, AI is always going to be the elephant in the room.
—Brian Welk, IndieWire, 6 Feb. 2026
As candidates met with the Tribune Editorial Board Thursday, Jackson was the elephant in the room, while Miller, who attended a later session, was the one outside it.
—Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room
Cite this Entry
“Elephant in the room.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20in%20the%20room. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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