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 In a wise and loving pep talk, her mom advises against giving up — a refreshing change of pace from all those undermining movie mothers. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2024 After a pep talk from Doc, Charmaine swings by the cabin to apologize to Mel, and Jack asks for forgiveness too. Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 Sep. 2023 As the men prepare to board the sub, Salvatore assembles them for a pep talk, and his look is striking: the double-breasted brown leather coat, the coiffed hair and thick goatee, the gleam of burning-eyed fatalism. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 30 Aug. 2023 That’s the pep talk Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky gave himself just seven hours after Russia launched a military invasion of the country in February 2022. Carmine Gallo, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024 Shortly after his news conference, Rivers received a standing ovation and gave a brief pep talk to the crowd as he was introduced during a first-half timeout in Marquette's 75-57 victory over Seton Hall. Steve Megargee, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 Matsu felt that an adjustment or big halftime pep talk didn’t need to be made. Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2024 The funding, logistical support, and pep talks arrive whenever they’re needed; the ego trips and the harsh words rarely do. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 7 Dec. 2023 This pep talk might give them confidence without overwhelming them. Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pep talk.' 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

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pep talk was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near pep talk

Cite this Entry

“Pep talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pep%20talk. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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