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.—
Benjamin N. Cardozo
Benjamin 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
Synonyms of verbal
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
Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Years ago, the actors had more dialogue to lay out the circumstances of the case and drop verbal clues here and there.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025
At a time when Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, and Cervantes were weaving verbal spells upon the stage, music must have seemed a superfluous addition—just as, in England, the mighty lines of Marlowe and Shakespeare hardly cried out for melodic elaboration.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
His tendency toward comedy and verbal gymnastics, however, made Stoppard a target — albeit a respected one — of critics early in his career.
—Laura Clark, Variety, 29 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
The paper alleged Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill everyone on board.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Years ago, the actors had more dialogue to lay out the circumstances of the case and drop verbal clues here and there.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2025
At a time when Lope de Vega, Calderón de la Barca, and Cervantes were weaving verbal spells upon the stage, music must have seemed a superfluous addition—just as, in England, the mighty lines of Marlowe and Shakespeare hardly cried out for melodic elaboration.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
His tendency toward comedy and verbal gymnastics, however, made Stoppard a target — albeit a respected one — of critics early in his career.
—Laura Clark, Variety, 29 Nov. 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 5 Dec. 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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