1
as in voice
an act, process, or means of putting something into words
the poem is his expression of his grief upon the loss of his beloved wife
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling
we could tell by the fans' expressions that the Chicago Cubs had lost again
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in term
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field
the expression "John Doe" is used in legal proceedings to refer to a person whose actual name is either unknown or being withheld from the public
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4
as in phrase
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
the popular expression "raining cats and dogs" is meaningless in other languages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of expression
Black dahlias are thought not to always represent a high anthocyanin concentration — although this is sometimes the case — but are more likely the result of a virus that prevents expression of conventional flower colors.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
The election of the reformist former President Mohammad Khatami in 1997, for instance, was an expression of the popular will and explicitly against the wishes of Ali Khamenei, but he was still allowed to take the presidency.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
That has meant bills on tax reform, immigration and, recently, transgender and LBGTQ+ expression.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Scientists all over the world use FlyBase every day — to look up gene expression patterns, search through its collection of 87,000 Drosophila papers, or contact other labs to get genetically unique strains of flies or reagents to run new experiments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expression
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 28 Mar. 2026
The election of the reformist former President Mohammad Khatami in 1997, for instance, was an expression of the popular will and explicitly against the wishes of Ali Khamenei, but he was still allowed to take the presidency.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
That has meant bills on tax reform, immigration and, recently, transgender and LBGTQ+ expression.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 28 Mar. 2026
Scientists all over the world use FlyBase every day — to look up gene expression patterns, search through its collection of 87,000 Drosophila papers, or contact other labs to get genetically unique strains of flies or reagents to run new experiments.
—Megan Molteni, STAT, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for expression
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expression
Noun
-
While many people have been introduced to English choral services through the angelic voices of the choristers in flowing robes and Elizabethan ruffs who sing at royal weddings and carol services, choirs perform every day in much more humble settings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
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As the MorphoScan measures and calculates, a voice will pipe up offering guidance and progress reports.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was a blithe, mildly stoned look in everyone’s eyes, and most of the women were dressed like gnomes while all the men appeared ergonomically outfitted to climb a cliff face but were instead commuting to their office jobs.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Surrounded by 28 acres of grapevines and rolling farmland, this beautiful resort draws its look from the working countryside with standalone-style only accommodations, luxury amenities, and a polished farm-house design.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
What are terms of the BofA settlement?—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
-
One called Rabin’s government a Judenrat, the Nazi term for Jewish councils appointed to oversee ghettos.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Hello French has a free downloadable list of 30 essential phrases for travelers, ranging from Vous parlez anglais?—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
However, following the path of Artemis II may be confusing as the astronauts, mission control and others use confusing jargon and phrases.—
ByMary Kekatos,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In 2023, the FDA banned compounding pharmacies (non-standard pharmacies that produce customized formulations for patients) from producing 14 specific peptides.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What’s Really on Shelves Reduced and alternative sugar formulations built on monk fruit, allulose, stevia and date syrup are expanding across retail.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Beyer, who has a warm smile and bright-pink glasses, did not hide her satisfaction.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Always had a smile on her face.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
His words were underscored when police in Israel stopped Catholic leaders from celebrating a private Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, built on the spot where Jesus was thought to have been crucified.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Finally, in 100 words or less, what makes this hotel worthy of Hot List?—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The centuries-old pot-kettle idiom points out hypocrisy — as when one person accuses another of a flaw that afflicts himself.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Expression.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expression. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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