Definition of locutionnext
as in manner
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words in the poet's somewhat affected locution, word order is often reversed and so we have "the sea serene"

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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 locution Confucius says—an old-fashioned locution, perhaps, but appropriate here—never to take interest in feats of strength. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss. — Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023 In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility. — Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022 President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019 Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness. — Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locution
Noun
  • This indicates that black hole jets don't influence gas around galaxies in a uniform manner, but at preferred points.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The notice cited the campus’ time, place and manner policy which restricts when, where and how students can hold protests and stated that sanctions up to expulsion may be imposed if the student is found responsible.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Benchmarks like this would identify where agents break down in complex financial workflows, then turn those failure modes into reinforcement-learning environments.
    — Wen Shao, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • That dual-mode capability allows the Navy to manage aircraft with different GPS configurations during the transition.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Adopting techniques from classic-Hollywood style, cinematographers dusted off antiquated equipment, using tungsten bulbs instead of LEDs to create the low-key contrasts typical of the genre.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Its official music video, which was uploaded in 2019 and now clocks up one billion views, was shot in the style of a telenovela.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 1 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The tone creeps into despair as the scales fall from Sutskever’s eyes.
    — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The lineup is generally made up of Ikea’s signature neutral tones like pine, black, and white, and highlighted with pops of Xbox green.
    — Bee Wertheimer, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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