words 1 of 2

noun

plural of word
1
as in terms
a pronounceable series of letters having a distinct meaning especially in a particular field my doctor used all of these medical words that I didn't understand

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2
as in statements
something that is said people who believe that the Bible is the literal word of God

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3
as in vows
a person's solemn declaration that he or she will do or not do something I give you my word that I won't try to escape

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4
as in instructions
a statement of what to do that must be obeyed by those concerned the troops waited for their commanding officer to give the word

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in passwords
a word or phrase that must be spoken by a person in order to pass a guard "What's the word?" demanded the sentry

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6
as in sayings
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience are there truer words than "never look a gift horse in the mouth"?

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words

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of word
as in says
to convey in appropriate or telling terms tried to word the declaration exactly right

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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 words
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 Science loves to eat its words like a plate of healthy vegetables, after all. — Mike McRae 21, New Atlas, 22 Oct. 2026 Escobar can begin teaching them letters, syllables and how to put words together. — Emily Woodruff, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Those words are a powerful reminder that people can be struggling even when those around them see no signs. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Her words should give us all pause — and motivate record turnout in the midterm elections. — Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 No discussion of nuclear deterrence should ever lose sight of the human lives behind those words. — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 Those 20 words--all but three of them single syllables--summon a flood of thoughts and images and memories and ruminations. — Dana Kelley, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for words
  1. terms
  2. statements
  3. vows
  4. instructions
  5. passwords
  6. sayings
  7. says
  8. phrases
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
  • The hospital system didn’t say that it was being dropped over a specific policy, and an insurance trade group pointed to the high cost of specialty care for children in a response to the hospital’s statements.
    — Jack Harvel October 25, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Investigators were working to gather evidence and statements and to review available audio and video related to the incident, including video taken from multiple perspectives, police said in a Facebook post.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of statements
Noun
  • While the couple each wrote their own vows, the bride actually wrote hers almost a decade earlier.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Lou is venting about not being able to write wedding vows for Olivia (Isabel May) to say to Warren (Manny Jacinto), who was the college friend (and crush) of Moretz’s character.
    — Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of vows
Noun
  • Synthetic mRNA delivers the instructions on these specific targets, allowing the body to present them to immune cells.
    — Mike McRae October 25, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Believing her daughter’s life was on the line, Del Mastro followed the caller’s instructions for five hours.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of instructions
Noun
  • The bugs, collectively called PHP2Shell, could allow attackers to execute code and read memory that could contain sensitive information, like passwords.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Keep your information private Never give out your social security number, bank information, or passwords to anyone over the phone.
    — Michelle Richardson, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of passwords
Noun
  • Well, ‘It’s been emotional’ has become one of the British icon sayings of movie history, which is fantastic.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As part of their annual Halloween decor drop, Anthropologie released Halloween bistro tile items that blend classic motifs and sayings with the Bistro Tile Collection’s Parisian style.
    — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sayings
Verb
  • That the first foreign policy message after the victory went to Moscow, and through a Russian state outlet, says a good deal about where the new government’s instincts lie.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Because food can be scarce there and people fear theft, individuals will store rice in their dirt-floor homes, Wagner says, allowing close contact with the rats that infest the island.
    — Faye Flam, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of says
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

Phrases Containing words

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Cite this Entry

“Words.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/words. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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