Verb I'm trying to couch this delicately: I don't think we should date anymore. I couched behind the partition so as to avoid an awkward situation with my ex. Noun find yourself a place on the couch and make yourself at home

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But Democratic politicians have usually been careful to couch them in national pride. W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner, "Blame America first and last: Republicans pan Democratic convention US history lesson," 20 Aug. 2020

Directness couched in humor Smith’s ties to Ralph Parr date to the early 1990s when both were principals: Smith at Ball High School in Galvston and Parr at Clear Creek High. Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, "‘Irreplaceable’ Clear Creek ISD leader remembered for high-fives, common sense," 5 Mar. 2020

Viktor Orban, Hungary’s prime minister, has long couched his attacks on refugees as a defence of European civilisation. The Economist, "Charlemagne Huntington’s disease and the clash of civilisation-states," 2 Jan. 2020

But Biden’s criticisms are often couched with a degree of deference. Joshua Brustein, Bloomberg.com, "Bernie Sanders vs. Joe Biden: Where They Stand on Tech Issues," 10 May 2020

This urge to accommodate oneself to new conditions, however unsavory, and perhaps—should the opportunity arise—to take advantage of them is visible throughout the film, and all the more galling for being couched in courtesy. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "The Hour of Reckoning Descends in “Mr. Klein”," 30 Aug. 2019

According to these men, couching Christian rights in broader religious-freedom language, as is common in Western countries, does not count. The Economist, "A useful stick Christians are persecuted in many places. Autocrats exploit this," 18 Dec. 2019

Laurent Berger, the head of the French Democratic Confederation of Labor, one of the country’s major unions, couched his movement’s actions in general terms in a recent interview with France’s LCI television. Washington Post, "France braces for massive strikes and transportation disruptions starting Dec. 5," 4 Dec. 2019

But even as most Democrats labored to couch their support for impeachment in terms of the Constitution and the separation of powers, some in their ranks argued that Trump deserved to be removed by Congress for his policies. Nicholas Fandos, BostonGlobe.com, "President Trump impeached by US House on 2 charges," 18 Dec. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

With a high neckline and cinched waist, this dress can take you from errands to a picnic to comfortably watching reality TV on your couch. Lindsay Tigar, CNN Underscored, "16 house dresses for comfortably lounging around in style," 21 Sep. 2020

Our big question -- will everyone be in their pajamas or wear couture on their couch? Chloe Melas, CNN, "Emmys 2020: How to watch, the nominees and more," 20 Sep. 2020

The first week of autumn offers plenty of musical events to keep you rockin' on your couch. Billboard Staff, Billboard, "Here Are All the Livestreams & Virtual Concerts to Watch During the Coronavirus Crisis: Week of Sept. 21," 20 Sep. 2020

Movie Critic Brian Truitt attended the Toronto Film Festival... from his couch in Virginia. USA TODAY, "Staying apart, together: Spice up your weekend with new reads, the Emmys," 19 Sep. 2020

And so on Sunday as her beloved Colts take the field inside a near-empty stadium, Jockish will take a seat on her couch. Dana Hunsinger Benbow, The Indianapolis Star, "She hasn't missed a Colts home game since team came to Indy in 1984 — until Sunday," 17 Sep. 2020

On a Saturday morning, my mother, Nurse Vivian, sat on our couch upholstered in a black nylon found only in the 1960s with a sweat sock on the darning egg, five others in the on-deck position. Kevin Fisher-paulson, SFChronicle.com, "The never-fading faith that a lost sock will turn up," 8 Sep. 2020

There was nothing to do except sit on your couch and just drink. Gary Curreri, sun-sentinel.com, "Men’s flag football team falls in finals," 4 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'couch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.