Definition of oratenext
1
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech given the opportunity, many politicians will orate at considerable length on just about any subject

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2
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the respected anthropologist is expected to orate about her latest research findings before a packed auditorium

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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 orate The Open Meeting Act prohibits directors from discussing (or orating) on matters not disclosed on the agenda, per Civil Code Section 4930(a). Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025 Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups? J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024 At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 Perhaps a chatbot can even orate. David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
  • Jolly and Mozeliak are scheduled to speak at a news conference on Saturday.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
  • Then, Zito and coach Paul Maurice spoke to fans.
    Ava DiCecca, Sun Sentinel, 27 June 2026
Verb
  • All while performatively lecturing and demanding everyone agree with his viewpoints.
    Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026
  • If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Woody Harrelson declaims every line, upping the relentless factor of Phil’s mania.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • In the theater, poets declaimed their newest works while musicians competed on the kithara.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Robert, talk me through the thinking behind this framing.
    Dana Taylor, USA Today, 23 June 2026
  • Seconds later, Hines-Allen decided she was done talking and shoved Bonner.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • While American pundits wrote haranguing op-eds warning that the breaking of diplomatic precedent would prompt China to escalate war, ordinary people in Taiwan celebrated.
    Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • This lucidity not only makes his work readable but also staves off the perception that discourse about UFOs and the CIA must be riddled with conspiratorial paranoia.
    Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
  • Advertisement The Epstein files discourse Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California has requested a private meeting between the King and survivors of Epstein.
    Tiago Ventura, Time, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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