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.
Cady also was the high school coach in Northern California for Oaks Christian coach Mark Amaral and recently dropped by to give a pep talk to the Oaks Christian players. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 George Lomax, who pauses to give himself a pep talk in the middle of his absurd proposal to Bundle. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026 Yet immediately after Saturday’s win, Johnson highlighted Jarrett for something else entirely — his contributions to a pep talk delivered during training camp, a revisitation of Super Bowl LI nine seasons ago. Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026 Inside, a group of a dozen waitstaff, a handful of bartenders and food runners convene for a final pep talk before the doors open. Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 6 Jan. 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

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Cite this Entry

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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