as in conversation
talking or a talk between two or more people
Thomas Jefferson is said to have been able to participate in knowledgeable discourse on a breathtaking array of subjects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
grandly discoursed as though he were an expert on every subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourse
David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
In the 1960s, the Space Race reoriented frontier discourse, as space took central focus in both industry and fiction.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
This is utter nonsense, and discourse about practically any new game on the market has become so toxic that staying off the internet entirely is the only way avoid it.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
The move to social media and algorithmic media was really a move toward a style of political communication that is somewhat hostile to the liberal project and the deliberative, open-minded, thoughtful, on-the-one-hand-on-the-other-hand mode of discourse that Obama is good at.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
In the 1960s, the Space Race reoriented frontier discourse, as space took central focus in both industry and fiction.
—Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo
River otters usually live up to 12.9 years in captivity, according to Oregon Zoo.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
This is utter nonsense, and discourse about practically any new game on the market has become so toxic that staying off the internet entirely is the only way avoid it.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
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Famous Last Words, based on the Danish format Det Sidste Ord, captures longform, deeply personal conversations with major luminaries.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
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Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Clarke and his business partner sold photographs and films, wrote and lectured about their adventures, and began treasure hunting.—
Danny Robb,
JSTOR Daily,
26 Sep. 2025
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Since exiting Dries Van Noten a few years ago, Scallon has been working as an independent consultant and mentor in fashion communications strategy, also lecturing occasionally and sharing his views about creative content on podcasts.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Merlo set up meetings with Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill, contacted State Department officials, and spoke to reporters at The New York Times, Fox News and other outlets, lobbying records show.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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My colleague David Ferrara and I spoke with university officials, immigrant experts and a former UC international student to learn more about what's at stake when this particular number drops.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While what kind of crust a Key Lime pie should have is often up for discussion, there’s no debate as heated as what should top the tangy pie.—
Amber Love Bond,
Southern Living,
4 Oct. 2025
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Near the end of the day, Haag gathered her students for their usual wrap-up discussion.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The working group held 10 meetings between July and September, and talked to various entities affected or interested.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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Home in a comfy chair, holding baby Zakaria, who’s nursing while Mayniel talks.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Truman would never have harangued the international community that America is First, or obstructed every effort to better the lot of humanity by asking what’s in it for the U.S., not in coming decades but during this news cycle.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Philadelphia Phillies fan Drew Feltwell wants people to lay off the woman who harangued him and his son over a home run ball at a game last week.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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My and my colleagues’ research into the ways brain activity across people aligns or diverges as they converse suggests that seeking to persuade may not be the most fruitful way to approach a conversation.—
Emily Falk,
Scientific American,
25 Sep. 2025
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Liv Hewson ended up wearing the pink converse sneakers.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Under the proposal, the release of all Israeli hostages—dead and alive—would occur within 72 hours of Israel formally accepting the deal, in exchange for the release of 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
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The company also acquired Australian cryptocurrency exchange Independent Reserve earlier in September.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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