telegraph
verb
telegraphed; telegraphing; telegraphs
1
a
: to send or communicate by or as if by telegraph
b
: to send a telegram to
c
: to send by means of a telegraphic order
2
: to make known by signs especially unknowingly and in advance
Examples of telegraph in a Sentence
He telegraphed a message to her.
Please telegraph when you get there.
Please telegraph me when you get there.
The look on her face telegraphed bad news.
He lost the boxing match because he was telegraphing his punches.
Recent Examples on the Web
Free Press founder Weiss, who joined CBS last October, had long telegraphed that major changes were afoot in an effort to remake 60 Minutes under a new ownership regime led by Paramount CEO David Ellison.
—
Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Her decision, which had been telegraphed but became official with her late Tuesday submittal of a resignation letter, drew a rebuke from some traditional Democratic backers.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Most of the vote-offs were clearly telegraphed, and the Redemption Island twist sucked the life out of Survivor's signature moment—the vote-off.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
But the scares were middling to begin with because Øvredal — a game but overeager trickster — telegraphs his set pieces as if he were equipped with a flare gun and detour cones.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
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Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2026
Her decision, which had been telegraphed but became official with her late Tuesday submittal of a resignation letter, drew a rebuke from some traditional Democratic backers.
—Stephen Hudak, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Most of the vote-offs were clearly telegraphed, and the Redemption Island twist sucked the life out of Survivor's signature moment—the vote-off.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 22 May 2026
But the scares were middling to begin with because Øvredal — a game but overeager trickster — telegraphs his set pieces as if he were equipped with a flare gun and detour cones.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for telegraph
Cite this Entry
“Telegraph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraph. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
telegraph
1 of 2 noun
tele·graph
ˈtel-ə-ˌgraf 
: an electric device or system for sending messages by a code over wires
telegraphic
adjective
ˌtel-ə-ˈgraf-ik
telegraphically
adverb
-ˈgraf-i-k(ə-)lē
telegraph
2 of 2 verb1
: to send by or as if by telegraph
telegraphed a message
2
: to send a telegram to
telegraphed home for money
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