1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of words
verbal instructions
b
: of, relating to, or involving words rather than meaning or substance
a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic—
B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
c
: consisting of or using words only and not involving action
verbal abuse
2
: of, relating to, or formed from a verb
a verbal adjective
3
: spoken rather than written
a verbal contract
4
: verbatim, word-for-word
a verbal translation
5
: of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words
verbal aptitude
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective compare gerund, infinitive, participle
Examples of verbal in a Sentence
Adjective
He scored well on the verbal section of the test.
They had a verbal exchange.
a verbal agreement to finish the work
We gave only verbal instructions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Constable’s Office responded to a weapons disturbance call earlier in the night where Lacy and a family member were involved in a verbal argument.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
However, the Chinese fighter jet pilot did not give any verbal reply and shadowed the Aurora for another half an hour.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
After years of working as a sugar baby and dancing in strip clubs, harassment—verbal, physical, casual—wasn’t shocking.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
City Councilmembers Scott Robbins, Keith Rodgers, David Jenkins and Cody Bass (who also made headlines Monday after authorities arrested him in connection to a verbal and physical assault in Nevada) all did not respond to a request for comment.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the Constable’s Office responded to a weapons disturbance call earlier in the night where Lacy and a family member were involved in a verbal argument.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
However, the Chinese fighter jet pilot did not give any verbal reply and shadowed the Aurora for another half an hour.
—Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
After years of working as a sugar baby and dancing in strip clubs, harassment—verbal, physical, casual—wasn’t shocking.
—Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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verbal
2 of 2 noun
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective
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