read between the lines

phrase

: to understand more than is directly stated

Examples of read between the lines in a Sentence

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At that same Screentime event, anyone reading between the lines might have guessed that Sarandos was getting antsy with Netflix’s current low-growth status. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026 Many viewers have told us, ‘Thank you for trusting us to read between the lines and for not hammering everything over our heads. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 We are left to read between the lines and decipher clues like a bootleg Sherlock Holmes. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 Some restrictions on cadres are not outright bans, and many have learned to read between the lines and regulate their own behavior to avoid trouble. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for read between the lines

Rhymes for read between the lines

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Browse Nearby Words

readaptation
read between the lines
readdress
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Cite this Entry

“Read between the lines.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/read%20between%20the%20lines. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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