Synonyms
Examples of oratorical in a Sentence
a speech that was an oratorical endorsement of the value of education but one that refused to call for greater spending on education
Recent Examples on the Web
Its wording is flinty and severe, with a powerful oratorical plainness that feels crafted for history books:
Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power.
—
Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2023
For her project, Howard will work in partnership with the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to create a series of creative writing workshops, internship opportunities, scholarship awards, and a culminating conference and oratorical contest to celebrate the voices of our youth in lower Alabama.
—Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al, 16 Mar. 2023
In the play, the 47-year-old Schreck reconsiders her childhood as an oratorical prodigy from Wenatchee, Washington, who won speaking competitions by exalting the U.S. Constitution.
—David Kamp, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2020
Photo: leah millis/Press Pool Could President Joe Biden’s oratorical skills be improving with age?
—James Freeman, WSJ, 23 June 2023
That great oratorical, musical compositional power of poetry that so many great Gaelic artists have?
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 2 Dec. 2022
Visually, and in their oratorical skills, both men invoked the passion and unifying power of civil rights-era leaders while speaking to the continued inequity and political stalemates of the 21st century.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
Instead of oratorical tricks, Biden should sketch out in clear fashion the strategic implications for America if Putin eventually were to succeed in his drive to swallow large chunks of Ukrainian territory.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 Feb. 2023
Despite its immense oratorical push, the Manifesto could only ever be a first declaration of hostilities against capitalism.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 19 Jan. 2023
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Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2023
For her project, Howard will work in partnership with the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast to create a series of creative writing workshops, internship opportunities, scholarship awards, and a culminating conference and oratorical contest to celebrate the voices of our youth in lower Alabama.
—Shauna Stuart | Sstuart@al.com, al, 16 Mar. 2023
In the play, the 47-year-old Schreck reconsiders her childhood as an oratorical prodigy from Wenatchee, Washington, who won speaking competitions by exalting the U.S. Constitution.
—David Kamp, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2020
Photo: leah millis/Press Pool Could President Joe Biden’s oratorical skills be improving with age?
—James Freeman, WSJ, 23 June 2023
That great oratorical, musical compositional power of poetry that so many great Gaelic artists have?
—Steven Gaydos, Variety, 2 Dec. 2022
Visually, and in their oratorical skills, both men invoked the passion and unifying power of civil rights-era leaders while speaking to the continued inequity and political stalemates of the 21st century.
—Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023
Instead of oratorical tricks, Biden should sketch out in clear fashion the strategic implications for America if Putin eventually were to succeed in his drive to swallow large chunks of Ukrainian territory.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 6 Feb. 2023
Despite its immense oratorical push, the Manifesto could only ever be a first declaration of hostilities against capitalism.
—James Robins, The New Republic, 19 Jan. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'oratorical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1589, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near oratorical
Cite this Entry
“Oratorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oratorical. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
oratorical
adjective
or·a·tor·i·cal
ˌȯr-ə-ˈtȯr-i-kəl 
ˌär-ə-ˈtär-
: of, relating to, or characteristic of an orator or oratory
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