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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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"?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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 words
Noun
At a loss for words…just wanted to mark this moment and share your ever ready and present smile. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026 Your words may travel quickly today, so a pitch, invitation, post, or casual conversation could create useful momentum. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026 Many Fever fans gave the Cunningham rally crowd a thumbs up, some provided encouraging words, and others stopped to take photos with the almost life-size Sophie Cunningham poster. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 If only one of them needed to hear those words, then Dean had done her job. — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 15 Aug. 2026 The prosecution’s case is largely built on the defendant’s own words, including his book, podcast and documentary interviews and statements to police. — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026 The right words could turn a loose idea into something real today. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026 The mom and daughter shared a makeup-free moment in matching graphic tees with a witty play on words, for a good cause. — Grace Gavilanes, PEOPLE, 8 Aug. 2026 After the game, Clark said the contact was inadvertent and that no words were exchanged. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for words
  1. terms
  2. statements
  3. vows
  4. instructions
  5. passwords
  6. sayings
  7. says
  8. phrases
Noun
  • Penalties for unlawful possession of firearms in Thailand include prison terms from 1 to 10 years and fines of up to 20,000 baht ($600).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The alternative—exiting with no deal—meant trading with the EU and other countries on the terms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was predicted to cause severe economic disruption.
    — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of terms
Noun
  • Ximalaya, the long-form audio platform whose acquisition closed on May 18, contributed $60 million in revenue during the quarter – its first period fully consolidated into TME’s financial statements.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • While this gorgeous film, shot in black-and-white, looks like an austere arthouse offering on its surface, Schleinzer delivers it with a tender touch that makes for one of this year’s grandest emotional statements.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of statements
Noun
  • The couple had exchanged vows at Lenny Kravitz’ apartment in Paris, my source said.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Last month a wedding couple in New York, who planned to exchange vows in their backyard, had their own nuptials interrupted by hail.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of vows
Noun
  • Do apply a lawn fungicide shortly after sodding, and repeat about two weeks later following label instructions.
    — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • To prevent this, always use distilled water and keep it clean, following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.
    — Kendall Bettle, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of instructions
Noun
  • Many websites use OAuth, an industry-standard security protocol for delegating authorization to access online services in a way that protects users’ credentials such as passwords.
    — Aashis Luitel, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Repkon refused to share passwords needed to control important equipment, according to five former General Dynamics employees.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of passwords
Noun
  • The next three chapters offer an anthology of sayings from rabbis who were active in the early centuries of the Common Era, including Hillel and Johanan ben Zakkai, among many other tannaim.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
  • Where the most hopelessly corny sayings are painstakingly stitched into the equivalent of cloth graph paper by women who believe in the sayings and give the plaques to people who do not believe in the sayings.
    — Padgett Powell, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026
Definition of sayings
Verb
  • As a direct result of the blow, Hackett suffered bruising and pain, the complaint says.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
  • New Haven Hose Company Fire Chief Jeff Layton says there was no flooding reported in any homes, but there was some damage to the park.
    — Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of says
Noun
  • Nonetheless, emphasizing unfounded truths in various frantic phrases won’t gain followers to your point of view.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the special logo for the themed night was a design by New Zealand artist Alana Tsui inspired by deconstructed sneaker parts and created with her signature line work, with empowering words and phrases woven in.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of phrases

Phrases Containing words

Browse Nearby Words

wordplays
words
wordsmith
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Words.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/words. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on words

Nglish: Translation of words for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
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
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All