eloquence

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noun el·o·quence \ ˈe-lə-kwən(t)s \

Definition of eloquence

1 :discourse marked by force and persuasiveness; also :the art or power of using such discourse

2 :the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

See eloquence defined for English-language learners

See eloquence defined for kids

Examples of eloquence in a Sentence

The senator's eloquence is well known.
She spoke with eloquence on the need for better schools.

Recent Examples of eloquence from the Web

His weekly commentaries on WVUE-TV continue to be appointment viewing for New Orleanians, his 3-minute monologues delivered in trademark Henderson style, with wit, eloquence and substance.

— jeff duncan, NOLA.com, "Pigs have flown: Jim Henderson, voice of the Saints, earns Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction," 21 June 2017
Eloquence alone cannot solve these dilemmas, but Landrieu at least made a start.

— david blight, The Atlantic, "The Battle for Memorial Day in New Orleans," 29 May 2017
The eloquence with which an older art object illuminates experience today is a measure of its greatness.

— christopher knight, latimes.com, "The new LACMA: Plans call for radical change to how we see the permanent collection," 25 May 2017
We're asked to see an absence of eloquence as the presence of authenticity.

— the new york times, NOLA.com, "On Confederate monuments, Mitch Landrieu reminds us eloquence still exists: Opinion," 24 May 2017
The dive bar's obituary probably has been written a thousand times, sometimes with an eloquence that would baffle the average coot who shuffles into these black holes, looking for a shot and a beer before the clock strikes noon.

— tim carman and fritz hahn, chicagotribune.com, "America's most authentic dive bars," 3 May 2017
Perhaps O’Reilly imagined himself as a modern-day King David, a prophet and psalmist, who with eloquence and persistence, would protect God’s people from the Goliaths of today — most notably the left.

— christopher hale, The Denver Post, "How Bill O’Reilly used religion to fuel fear, and his show," 21 Apr. 2017
Yes, insight, eloquence and charisma can go a long way toward inspiring your interest.

— rob hubbard, Twin Cities, "Review: Delight in 18th-century music with Richard Egarr, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra," 3 Mar. 2017
In a time of mad unreason, when high power babbles and stammers, the cautious eloquence of our courts affirms their independence.

— adam gopnik, The New Yorker, "Sanity from the Courts on Gun Control in a Time of Trump," 24 Feb. 2017

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

First Known Use of eloquence

14th century

eloquence Synonyms

Synonyms

articulacy [chiefly British], articulateness, poetry, rhetoric, gift of gab

Antonyms

inarticulateness

ELOQUENCE Defined for English Language Learners

eloquence

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noun

Definition of eloquence for English Language Learners

: the ability to speak or write well and in an effective way

ELOQUENCE Defined for Kids

eloquence

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noun el·o·quence \ ˈe-lə-kwəns \

Definition of eloquence for Students

1 :speaking or writing that is forceful and convincing

2 :the ability to speak or write with force and in a convincing way

Learn More about eloquence

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for eloquence Spanish Central: Translation of eloquence Nglish: Translation of eloquence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of eloquence for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about eloquence

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eloquence

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ELOQUENCE Defined for English Language Learners

eloquence

Definition of eloquence for English Language Learners

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