paraphrase 1 of 2

noun

ˈper-ə-ˌfrāz How to pronounce paraphrase (audio)
Definition of paraphrasenext
as in translation
an instance of expressing something in different words your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook

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paraphrase

2 of 2

verb

as in to translate
to express something (as a text or statement) in different words could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 paraphrase
Noun
Like Irving, Poe had read Biddle’s paraphrase closely. — Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 Some of the suspects try to minimize their actions with euphemisms or paraphrases; others do so with explanations that the prosecutors find utterly implausible. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
So to paraphrase Thanos, where did all this rambling and analysis about Infinity Vision bring us? — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 9 Sep. 2026 To paraphrase Margaret Mead, in a patriarchy, the only women who have authority are widows. — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphrase
  1. translation
  2. translate
  3. translating
  4. summarize
Noun
  • What is lost is the outcome itself, the translation of a decision already made into a medicine the patient actually takes home.
    — Harshit Jain, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The expression has different meanings across cultures, rarely referring to its literal translation.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of translation
Verb
  • The German robotics company described the system as a Perception-Language-Action (PLA) model that processes sensory information and translates it into physical actions.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
  • As a kid, Havi Nguyen sometimes missed school to translate at doctor’s appointments, and was managing Medicaid paperwork for herself and her sisters, on behalf of their parents who’d immigrated from Vietnam.
    — Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of translate
Noun
  • But Fehlbaum warns writers and directors of the dangers of rushing to technology, especially AI, to take on the task of translating.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • With a title translating as The Fables Newspaper, the show took place in a forest filled with anthropomorphic animals where the main character, an owl named Meneer de Uil read headlines from a daily paper.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of translating
Verb
  • For accountants, attorneys, consultants and other professionals, AI can accelerate research, summarize complex information and assist with writing and other forms of communication.
    — Kaitlin Newkirk, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But a new wave of executives are letting AI do the reading for them, using it to summarize reports, draft emails, and, in some cases, speak on their behalf.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of summarize

Browse Nearby Words

paraphernalia
paraphrase
paraphrased
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on paraphrase

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