Definition of paraphrasenext
as in translation
an instance of expressing something in different words your essays on human rights should have some original thought and not be simply a paraphrase of what's in the textbook

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paraphrase

2 of 2

verb

as in to translate
to express something (as a text or statement) in different words could you paraphrase your diagnosis of my medical condition, using simpler language?

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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 paraphrase
Noun
Like Irving, Poe had read Biddle’s paraphrase closely. — Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026 Some of the suspects try to minimize their actions with euphemisms or paraphrases; others do so with explanations that the prosecutors find utterly implausible. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
To paraphrase Tolstoy, all slop is alike, but every piece of trash is trashy in its own oddball way. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Text that has been heavily rewritten, paraphrased, translated, or mixed with other writing may lose enough of Claude's statistical pattern to become undetectable. — New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for paraphrase
Recent Examples of Synonyms for paraphrase
Noun
  • But budgeting is a downstream translation of strategic choices into resource decisions.
    — Alex Brueckmann, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Short text, editing, translation and unsupported models can all produce undetected content.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Just down the corridor, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, executive vice president and chief brand officer, is reflecting on how the founder’s original principals translate to today as the company celebrates 80 years in business.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • An algorithm translates those measurements into a three-dimensional representation of the sheet.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • But Fehlbaum warns writers and directors of the dangers of rushing to technology, especially AI, to take on the task of translating.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
  • With a title translating as The Fables Newspaper, the show took place in a forest filled with anthropomorphic animals where the main character, an owl named Meneer de Uil read headlines from a daily paper.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Dave’s vision for iPlayer included an AI agent called Iggy, which helps recommend and summarize iPlayer content, and can speak to audiences in different languages.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Searching for a product is useful, but turning an invitation into a calendar event or summarizing text can save additional steps.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/paraphrase. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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