PHLEGM Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

phlegm

noun

ˈflem

Definition of phlegm

as in numbness

a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness a man of remarkable phlegm, never showing enthusiasm nor displeasure

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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 phlegm The phlegm is then examined under a microscope for the telltale tuberculosis bacteria. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 Apr. 2026 And if salt and water start to move, so, too, does the phlegm that has been sitting dehydrated in the lungs of CF patients. — Courtney Crowder, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026 Population surveys also link vaping to chronic cough, phlegm, bronchitis, shortness of breath, asthma flares and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease—or COPD. — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for phlegm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for phlegm

Noun

These include sudden weakness or numbness, particularly on one side of the body, difficulty speaking, facial drooping, loss of balance or trouble walking.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
The victim went to the campus health clinic in August with worsening finger tingling and numbness, and leg weakness.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of numbness

Noun

There is an emptiness left behind that cannot be filled, and there are so many of us who will never be quite the same without you.

— Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
Occasional moments of real, spontaneous joy emerge, and others reveal the crushing emptiness of lives going nowhere, but the script doesn’t lean too hard in either direction.

— Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of emptiness

Noun

Hardy attributes much of the current state of voter apathy to the media’s focus on fraud and voter integrity.

— Heather LaMarre, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
Stearns argues that standing with the Jewish state is a moral and biblical duty, warning that growing global apathy and rising antisemitism threaten both Israel's survival and foundational Judeo-Christian values.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of apathy

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phishers

phlegm

phlegmatic

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“Phlegm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/phlegm. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of phlegm

noun

Example Sentences

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