as in code word
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Recent Examples of dead metaphor
The media are somewhat responsible, so apologies for beating a dead metaphor.
—
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Many of our emotion terms are references to states of the body—we’re downcast, bent out of shape, head over heels, shaken up, down in the mouth—which have slowly rigidified into dead metaphor.
—Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026
Many of our emotion terms are references to states of the body—we’re downcast, bent out of shape, head over heels, shaken up, down in the mouth—which have slowly rigidified into dead metaphor.
—Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022
This shift reminds us that dead metaphors aren’t always terminally dead.
—Rob Nixon, Smithsonian, 23 Mar. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dead metaphor
Noun
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That is why a simple family code word can help stop panic before money changes hands.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
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Savannah Guthrie seemingly used a code word in a video directed toward her missing mother Nancy Guthrie’s kidnappers, a former FBI agent claims.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Opinions were filtered through euphemism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Nov. 2025
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Stephen Schwartz’s lyrics make hay (Fiyero spoiler alert) out of teasing the characters’ infamous destinies using wordplay and euphemisms.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Related Stories Jon Stewart then extended the analogy.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 June 2026
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The analogy appears to reference the leverage the 49ers hold over Aiyuk.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
9 June 2026
Noun
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The harvest field is a metaphor in the Bible which speaks to people’s openness to the Gospel.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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This metaphor also suggests that the fat body is not valid, but instead is the lingering residue of a problem that needs to be solved.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Villa Coco is all but frescoed with figurative language, and Greer’s seemingly effortless storytelling belies the careful craft of his metaphors and similes.—
Jacob Brogan,
The Atlantic,
11 June 2026
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It is crammed with metaphor and simile.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dead metaphor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dead%20metaphor. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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