paraphrastic

adjective

para·phras·tic ˌper-ə-ˈfra-stik

ˌpa-rə-

: having the nature of or being a paraphrase

paraphrastically

ˌper-ə-ˈfra-sti-k(ə-)lē

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

Word History

Etymology

French paraphrastique, from Greek paraphrastikos, from paraphrazein

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of paraphrastic was circa 1623

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Browse Nearby Words

paraphrast

paraphrastic

paraphyletic

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Paraphrastic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrastic. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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