as in idiom
a sequence of words having a specific meaning
kids drawing literal representations of the phrase "to rain cats and dogs"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms
he had trouble thinking of how to phrase his question for the visiting dignitary
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of phrase
Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026
Now, the phrase the imperialist today conjures up images of brutality and exploitation.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Nelson plays odd tricks with rhythm—phrasing behind the beat while his guitar rushes forward.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Noun
The lesbians were quick to adopt the phrase themselves.
—Hazlitt, 4 Feb. 2026
Now, the phrase the imperialist today conjures up images of brutality and exploitation.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Explain the mechanism that Washington used to compel quarterback Demond Williams to return because the consequences were too onerous to ignore, like LSU losing out on $4 million in NIL for 2026 or however it’s phrased.
—Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
But Nelson plays odd tricks with rhythm—phrasing behind the beat while his guitar rushes forward.
—Alex Abramovich, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for phrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phrase
Noun
-
But as the practice evolved, eager writers like Jefferson and John Adams (but not George Washington or James Madison, for instance), gravitated to a richer, sympathy-bearing idiom, which no doubt bled into intimate speech, now lost.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
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All's fair in love and war — an idiom that Cressida (second from left, played by Jessica Madsen) and her meddling mama would do well to remember while courting the Prince!—
Sophie Dodd,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Conrad wasn’t sure how football fans would react but said most people eagerly accepted a towel.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Key Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was arrested by heavily armed men on Sunday night, his supporters said, just hours after he had been released from a jail where he was held as a political prisoner.—
Diego Mendoza,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bad Bunny took us through tableaux of Latinx joy, with different expressions of beautiful hair in each vignette.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Rapper Snoop Dogg wears a blank expression, moments after watching Team USA's Lindsey Vonn crash out of the women’s downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo this morning.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Someone always asks her how to word the text.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Bialystok, a cognitive neuroscientist, recommends studying a new language at any age, comparing the challenge to word puzzles and brain-training games that are promoted to slow the onset of dementia.—
Stephen Wade,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Whaley, who spoke after Parks, expressed a similar sentiment.—
ALEX ROZIER Mississippi Today,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The agency owns additional acreage in the area, and Platform Ventures had expressed interest in buying about 305 more acres from Port KC for further industrial development.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Phrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phrase. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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