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
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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 The elephant in the room, of course, is AI. Claire Zillman, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026 As Mercury and Jupiter clash, avoiding the elephant in the room can come back to haunt you. Usa Today, USA Today, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elephant in the room

Word History

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elephant in the room was in 1985

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Cite this Entry

“Elephant in the room.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephant%20in%20the%20room. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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