as in repetition
the use of too many words to express an idea
congressional hearings into the Watergate scandal were marked by an orgy of periphrasis, the expression "at this point in time" being a memorable example
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for periphrasis
Noun
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For each exercise, aim for two to three sets of 8-12 repetitions, two to three times per week on non-consecutive days.
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If the change introduces a new logic or compliance requirement, expect a longer runway, repetition and coaching in the flow of work.
Noun
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Transformers, diffusion models, state space models and mixture-of-experts are not interchangeable.
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Other people emphasize the rules and regulations slowing down diffusion and stymieing change.
Noun
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But in terms of its actual content, the statement was pretty thin gruel, bristling with public relations-style circumlocution and vagueness.
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Here, instead, she’s swayed by a dead Diana softly squeezing her hand and kindly hinting — the dead Diana is an ace at tactful circumlocution — that now is the time to show a mourning nation some emotion.
Noun
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Flatulent describes inflated, pretentious writing; garrulity describes excessive talkativeness.
Noun
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His verbosity has become a point of contention.
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Clarity In the AI era, verbosity is free and clarity is expensive.
Noun
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Remaining on stage with gracious verbalism, Batiste first acknowledged the nominees.
Noun
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The repetitiveness of the plot is not helped by the many montages writer-director Yandy Laurens uses as shortcuts, instead of writing scenes that show how the central relationship is developing.
Noun
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Just as the limitless space of web text tempts writers to indulge their logorrhea, the blinking, ever-transmuting, cartoonish interface of web browsers prevents would-be readers from paying attention to anything for longer than about 7 seconds.
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Nor has Musk kept his Twitter logorrhea in check in other respects.
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Cite this Entry
“Periphrasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/periphrasis. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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