ciphers 1 of 2

noun

plural of cipher
1
as in zeros
the numerical symbol 0 or the absence of number or quantity represented by it remember to put the cipher after the decimal point

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in numbers
a person of no importance or influence it was either write the Great American Novel or be consigned to the status of a cipher in the annals of literature

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ciphers

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cipher
as in figures
to determine (a value) by doing the necessary mathematical operations were surprised by how much we had spent on the cruise after we had ciphered out the grand total

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ciphers
Noun
There’s that vibrancy and, on the other side of the ledger, dead boys, ciphers, unfinished or unfinishable quests. — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Consider a dashboard that shows applications, including keys and libraries; network traffic protocols and ciphers; hardware, such as HSMs and TPMs; and third-party dependencies, including cryptographic or software bills of materials. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s. — Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026 The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026 The Blind Owl is extremely dense, brimming with metaphors and ciphers and symbols. — Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026 Two streetlamps engaged in a mute but luminous dialogue, an indecipherable Morse code, alluding to the silent exchanges and secret ciphers of strangers who meet there for their trysts. — Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026 Such ciphers are easy to crack using techniques such as checking letter frequency and identifying common patterns. — PC Magazine, 7 Oct. 2025 She, the cinema; he, the audience — these ciphers would be compelling in short-form, but in carrying a feature they’re only buoyed by the natural chemistry of their performers. — Blake Simons, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ciphers
  1. zeros
  2. nobodies
  3. figures
  4. lightweights
  5. calculates
  6. insects
  7. shrimp
  8. dwarfs
Noun
  • Engineers could represent the two configurations as binary digits, or zeros and ones.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This Zuckerberg is no longer made of flesh and blood but ones and zeros.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of zeros
Noun
  • In the trailer, the civilians are selling themselves as a new breed of nobodies.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Despite the tragicomic instability and the rotating cast of nobodies temporarily tasked with running the country, when seen in macroeconomic terms, Peru appears to be doing just fine, thank you.
    — Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026
Definition of nobodies
Verb
  • The difference could be former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki, who figures to play a more prominent role in the passing game with the Bengals hurting at wide receiver.
    — Keven Lerner, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The screening’s reception was so strong that nearly every major player entered the fray, driving the bidding to figures the indie distributor simply couldn’t turn down.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of figures
Noun
  • Jupiter, by comparison, is as much as 35 times denser than these two lightweights.
    — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • The card will also feature several other San Diego-area boxers, including super lightweights Daniel Morales (8-0, 5 KOs) and Angel Juan Estrada (12-1-1, 9 KOs).
    — Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Definition of lightweights
Verb
  • Economist Thomas Philippon calculates that weakened competition costs the typical household about $300 a month.
    — Christopher Marquis, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That said, its catalogue is only just over 4% Spanish origin by volume in Spain – half what Netflix has by volume and a quarter of Amazon, Ampere Analysis calculates.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of calculates
Noun
  • Cardinals, mockingbirds, robins and blue jays will all forage for dogwood berries and insects.
    — Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The interesting part is that the robot doesn’t actually jump by pushing off with its legs like insects or frogs do.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of insects
Noun
  • Pour the sauce over and gently toss with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until the shrimp and avocado are thoroughly coated.
    — Janelle Davis, CNN, 7 Feb. 2023
  • Brine shrimp are a critical food source for the aquaculture industry.
    — Evan Bush, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2023
Definition of shrimp
Noun
  • As far as fairytales go, dwarfs can be Bashful, Sleepy, Grumpy or Dopey.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Watching all ten members sing at once is funny the way the seven dwarves all sleeping in their little beds next to each other is funny.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of dwarfs

Browse Nearby Words

ciphering
ciphers
circa
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Cite this Entry

“Ciphers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ciphers. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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