pep talk

noun

: a usually brief, intense, and emotional talk designed to influence or encourage an audience

Examples of pep talk in a Sentence

The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game. She needs a pep talk.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Carmel senior point guard Josie Hartman pulled her teammates together for a pep talk at halftime on Thursday. Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026 That player, who the couple declined to name in an interview with the Associated Press, gifted Nic Taylor a plane ticket to Norway and told him to go give his wife a pep talk. Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026 The spontaneous pep talk from Madonna came shortly before Glenn competed on the ice for the women’s short, which ended with the American at 13th place in the overall skater standings. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2026 The spoof film saw her play Miss Mann, the gym teacher who gives Anna Faris' Cindy Campbell a memorable pep talk. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pep talk

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pep talk was in 1913

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pep talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pep%20talk. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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