couching

verb

present participle of couch
1
as in saying
to convey in appropriate or telling terms I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in crouching
to lie low with the limbs close to the body I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex

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 couching The honey does an admirable job of couching the rum’s heavy funk. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 6 June 2026 Writers of autofiction have been accused of trying to preëmpt criticism by couching their work in self-awareness. — Literary Hub, 17 Dec. 2025 After about half an hour of couching his fears in technical language and cautious caveats, the OpenAI CEO finally did. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 11 Sep. 2025 True crime, as a genre, rationalizes its exploitations—people’s tragedies and traumas, recast for popular consumption—by couching the sensationalism in considerations of justice. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for couching
  1. saying
  2. crouching
  3. expressing
  4. huddling
  5. articulating
  6. stating
  7. putting
Verb
  • Johnson released a statement through his press office saying the ILA workers who met with the mayor are members of the team that bargained their new contract, ratified this spring.
    — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • In her new memoir Famesick, Dunham wrote a message to Swift, saying much of the book's creative process was soundtracked by her music.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of saying
Verb
  • Bystander video captured the sound of at least seven shots and showed people crouching and running for cover.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Fortune, 15 June 2026
  • Bystander video captured the sound of at least seven shots and showed people crouching and running for cover.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
Definition of crouching
Verb
  • The daycare later released a statement expressing condolences and pledging support for the family.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • But last month, Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary, wrote to Ofwat expressing concerns over the rescue package.
    — Ian King, CNBC, 1 July 2026
Definition of expressing
Verb
  • Teams from the two companies have been huddling for months to plan for the melding of the two operations as soon as Paramount receives all of its regulatory approvals.
    — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Paramount+ is huddling up with the Texas Tech for a docuseries on its football team that is eyed to premiere in time for the 2026 season in the fall.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 29 June 2026
Definition of huddling
Verb
  • In that sense, La Villeggiatura wasn’t introducing a trend so much as articulating an overlooked category.
    — Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • The presence of a man who may have been a Muslim suggests that, in a canvas that also contains Jews and Christians, the Dutch artist was articulating a message of tolerance.
    — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of articulating
Verb
  • The organization has not announced a set release time for the scores only information stating that they will be made available on July 6.
    — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • And despite the rules stating that a challenge from behind with studs-on-calf contact and a level of force should be a red card — no card was administered.
    — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of stating
Verb
  • Belgium was on the front foot from the start, taking six shots and putting two on target in the first eight minutes before going ahead on De Ketelaere’s first goal in the ninth minute.
    — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
  • A week later, the TPUSA board unanimously voted to install Erika as their new chief executive, putting her at the forefront of his advocacy efforts.
    — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
Definition of putting

Browse Nearby Words

couches
couching
couch potato
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Cite this Entry

“Couching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/couching. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on couching

Nglish: Translation of couching for Spanish Speakers

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