as in numbness
a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness
a man of remarkable phlegm, never showing enthusiasm nor displeasure
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of phlegm
His voice slithers and spits, reserving extra phlegm for the names of Donald Trump and his allies.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Those sacs of air fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and trouble breathing, according to the clinic.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
The second is having either 10 or more pack years of smoking, or symptoms of cough, phlegm and trouble breathing.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phlegm
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Those sacs of air fill with fluid or pus, causing a cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills and trouble breathing, according to the clinic.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2025
The second is having either 10 or more pack years of smoking, or symptoms of cough, phlegm and trouble breathing.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phlegm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phlegm
Noun
-
However, sharp or radiating pain, numbness, weakness or symptoms that persist beyond 48 to 72 hours should not be dismissed as ordinary soreness.—
Dr. Kęstutis Braziulis,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
Heavy use has been linked to numbness, tingling, difficulty walking and even spinal cord injury.—
Katia Hetter,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The Tuesday parking shortage and the Monday emptiness are not anomalies to correct.—
Chase Garbarino,
Fortune,
15 May 2026
-
Lift up your eyes unto the hills, and behold all that delightful emptiness.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
When Charles was set to come face to face with one of the brightest, youngest faces of American politics, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was met with only a coldness and reminder of the crimes of British imperialism.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The term implies godlike deftness and speed but also a certain impersonal coldness — skill at the expense of passion.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Not necessarily devastated or depressed in the way people often imagine depression, but just a persistent feeling of apathy or indifference.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
-
There can be apathy and hesitation.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phlegm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phlegm. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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