expressions

noun

plural of expression
1
as in voices
an act, process, or means of putting something into words the poem is his expression of his grief upon the loss of his beloved wife

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in looks
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling we could tell by the fans' expressions that the Chicago Cubs had lost again

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in terms
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field the expression "John Doe" is used in legal proceedings to refer to a person whose actual name is either unknown or being withheld from the public

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in phrases
a sequence of words having a specific meaning the popular expression "raining cats and dogs" is meaningless in other languages

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 expressions But his series of expressions and poses are just riotously funny. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026 Subjects rated the differing facial expressions on warmth and trustworthiness. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 These boutiques offer distinct expressions of each house, while their facades contribute to a streetscape with an individual character. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 October 23, 2026 Winemakers in northern Spain are creating some outstanding expressions. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026 Elaborate veils and rigid dress codes gradually gave way to more personal expressions of grief, while black dresses and tailoring became enduring wardrobe staples. — Livia Caligor, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 During screenings, Shaimaa watches the children closely, paying attention to their expressions and reactions. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026 Participants’ movements, facial expressions and vocal reactions (along with a little interpretation from accompanying parents) suggested a clear winner. — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 Felipe Varela Whittier The Los Angeles Times welcomes expressions of all views. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expressions
  1. voices
  2. looks
  3. terms
  4. phrases
  5. formulations
  6. faces
  7. words
  8. idioms
Noun
  • Thanks to Precise Voice Pickup Tech, the WH-CH720Ns use beamforming microphones to capture voices with crystal-clear clarity.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Mindful voices Michelin’s Green Star designation — given to Counter- last year and which noted remarkable efforts in sustainable gastronomy — was retired this year.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of voices
Noun
  • This was especially important on Wildwood, which features a huge range of costumes; in the city sequences everyone is dressed in modern clothing, whereas in the forest characters have more fantastical looks.
    — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Gap is one of the first mass brands to pursue a major integration, encouraging users to try on Gap products and share their looks within the app.
    — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of looks
Noun
  • During Lula's first two terms in office, from 2003 to 2010, Brazil's economy boomed, and millions of Brazilians rose out of poverty.
    — Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Vucic was seeking to become Serbia's prime minister after serving two near-full terms as president.
    — JOVANA GEC, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of terms
Noun
  • These kinds of phrases are grounding and can help contain some of that anxiety.
    — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Each language includes more than 2,500 words and phrases across more than 60 topics.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of phrases
Noun
  • There is not enough evidence on the effects of ingesting large amounts or highly concentrated clove formulations, especially for people who are pregnant or nursing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026
  • There is not enough evidence on the effects of ingesting large amounts or highly concentrated formulations, particularly for people who are pregnant or nursing.
    — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of formulations
Noun
  • The women wore maroon unitards with subtle puffed sleeves, while Danchig-Waring’s tank unitard featured two faces in profile, each hugging a side of his waist.
    — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the visible faces of the Southwest’s critical water problem, as the Colorado River — which supplies water to nearly 40 million people — shrinks due to a combination of climate change and human demand.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of faces
Noun
  • There are so many words in this clue with more than one meaning across contexts.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Dawson turned the feedback into a visual installation featuring hundreds of handwritten words on sticky notes representing the community's hopes and aspirations.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of words
Noun
  • There are always critics in all idioms whose goal is writing about something much bigger using a review to get there.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cinema is, after all, a language, and Belgian filmmakers come from a country built on the need to understand language as a bridge—between its regions, its people, and its idioms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of idioms

Browse Nearby Words

expressionless
expressions
expressive
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expressions.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expressions. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All