as in translation
an instance of expressing something in different words
your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook
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as in to translate
to express something (as a text or statement) in different words
could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?
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Recent Examples of paraphrase
Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Despite the patchwork libretto, Handel ingeniously parlayed Jennens’ quotations and paraphrases from the Old and New testaments into unexpected evocations of wonder and awe.
—Bob Blaisdell, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
To paraphrase Denzel Washington, the Spirit needs to leave with something.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Noun
To paraphrase noted philosopher Buddy The Elf: Lauren … here?
—Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2025
Despite the patchwork libretto, Handel ingeniously parlayed Jennens’ quotations and paraphrases from the Old and New testaments into unexpected evocations of wonder and awe.
—Bob Blaisdell, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Dec. 2024
Verb
The result — from the tunnels carved out by tomb robbers to the trains that run day and night — is a cinematic gift for the senses and specifically, to paraphrase one of the more philosophical characters, about our understanding of time’s ability to both preserve and destroy.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026
To paraphrase Denzel Washington, the Spirit needs to leave with something.
—Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphrase
Noun
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Last Stops of the Night Journey publishes, on facing pages, the entirety of two books by the contemporary Italian poet Milo De Angelis opposite English translations by Patrizio Ceccagnoli and Susan Stewart.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
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Cortisol face is the social media translation.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Most of all, No Kings peeps are being criticized for not having a ready answer as to whether protests can translate to midterm Blues.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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Lisa Lee meditates on translating emotion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Translation tools, meeting summaries and captions have the ability to smooth over gaps in fluency and assist non-native speakers in writing emails, translating, and functioning more confidently in English-first settings.—
Aslesha Mehta,
Fortune,
23 Mar. 2026
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But the oral histories Katherine conducted, interviewing elderly islanders, with Tepano translating, may have been more valuable still.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Here’s the five-day forecast for Broward and Palm Beach counties, summarized by AI based on information from the National Weather Service.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Mar. 2026
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The state requires cities to submit an annual report summarizing progress on implementing the city’s general plan and reports on housing production, stated a report from Planning Manager Chris Dominguez.—
Jim Drummond,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paraphrase. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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