phlegm

noun

ˈflem How to pronounce phlegm (audio)
Definition of phlegmnext
as in numbness
a lack of emotion or emotional expressiveness a man of remarkable phlegm, never showing enthusiasm nor displeasure

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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 phlegm Diagnosis of Legionnaires’ disease is made via chest X-ray, urine test and lab analysis of a phlegm sample. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Veeze’s signature rapping voice, which sounds like his vocal cords are coated in phlegm and cough syrup, is increasingly versatile, despite the sometimes half-asleep delivery. — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026 The phlegm is then examined under a microscope for the telltale tuberculosis bacteria. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 29 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 See All Example Sentences for phlegm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for phlegm
  1. numbness
  2. emptiness
  3. coldness
  4. apathy
Noun
  • According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.
    — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Webb, the Oklahoma radiologist, documented four times that a patient lacked numbness, and yet his WISeR application was still denied, citing numbness, which, in the reviewer's interpretation, would rule out the spinal surgery procedure.
    — Darius Tahir, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Definition of numbness
Noun
  • He was used to being alone without Robin and postretirement but being alone in the interminable stretch of predawn hours was a different sort of emptiness.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 30 June 2026
  • Work gives you somewhere to point your attention, somewhere to put the grief, the sadness, the emptiness.
    — Alla Adam, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of emptiness
Noun
  • The world of Pride and Prejudice expects women to accommodate male pride as a social fact, to smooth over awkwardness, to accept that status and wealth compensate for coldness or indifference.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
  • Her fierce intelligence helps paper over some of the screenplay’s rougher transitions, and even lends a measure of legibility to Sylvia’s sudden coldness.
    — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 June 2026
Definition of coldness
Noun
  • In the lead-up to this summer’s FIFA men’s World Cup, critics complained about prices, domestic politics, international geopolitics, supposed fan apathy, logistical hurdles and more.
    — Andrés Martinez, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
  • Does this show reveal more to me how the most vulnerable amongst us are suffering as a result of disinterest, apathy, greed?
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2026
Definition of apathy

Browse Nearby Words

phishers
phlegm
phlegmatic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on phlegm

Nglish: Translation of phlegm for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phlegm

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