speech

Definition of speechnext
1
as in lecture
a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience the guest of honor gave a short speech in appreciation of the award

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2
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication wanting to develop a writing system for his people, Sequoya created a system of 86 symbols representing all the syllables of Cherokee speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of speech By striking down these unconstitutional caps on coordinated spending, the Court has restored core political speech and ensured parties can compete on a level playing field. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 30 June 2026 Most myofunctional therapists have backgrounds in related fields like speech-language pathology, occupational therapy or dentistry. Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 30 June 2026 Weiser, in his pre-election pep speech to volunteers Monday, acknowledged head-on that many pundits and political observers said Bennet had the race in the bag from the moment the three-term senator decided to head home. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 30 June 2026 James gave a heartfelt speech to Lakers fans before the first game following Bryant’s tragedy. Mark Medina, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
Noun
  • This year’s final Edinburgh kicks off in around two months and its keynote MacTaggart lecture will be delivered by YouTube EMEA boss Pedro Pina.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 23 June 2026
  • The iconic McTaggart lecture will remain a key part of the festival schedule, Glennie confirmed.
    K.J. Yossman, Variety, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Eight groups challenged the department’s definition in court, representing nurse practitioners, therapists, speech language pathologists and more.
    Collin Binkley, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026
  • Keep language simple, confirm times, and leave extra room between commitments.
    Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • The talks come after the Qatari prime minister met with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Tuesday to discuss ongoing US-Iran talks and regional developments.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
  • Peace talks between the two countries are still inching along, with one of the key points up for discussion being how to regulate the flow of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Operational Infrastructure The market is slowly finding a more honest vocabulary for what AI models actually are.
    Abhishek Yadav, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
  • Using data collected over years of painstaking observation, Elie discovered 11 core calls that make up the zebra finch vocabulary, such as calls for distress, hunger and saying hello.
    Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Valentine and Suarez did not respond to letters mailed to addresses that appeared to be associated with them.
    David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • One platform knows a business email address, another recognizes a device, a third captures website activity and a fourth tracks engagement within a specific channel.
    Paula Chiocchi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • His wife is from Mexico and their son learned the native tongue, T'aiki, in preschool; the family speaks Spanish and English at home.
    Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026
  • Vlašić wagged his tongue and ran toward his teammates with outstretched arms in celebration.
    CBS News, CBS News, 27 June 2026
Noun
  • The greatest of all Fourth of July orations was delivered in 1852, on the 76th anniversary of American independence, by Frederick Douglass in Rochester, New York.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026
  • Though the speech was likely written by the government—in keeping with long-standing tradition that the monarch speaks for the government during high-profile oration—the king did find a way to put his own flair on a few of the jokes, and got plenty of laughs from Congress.
    Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike the brighter, more melodic style often associated with Austria and the Tyrol region, Swiss yodeling is slower and more melancholic — an emotionally nuanced tradition rooted in distinct regional dialects.
    Jez Fielder, Fortune, 30 June 2026
  • Unlike the brighter, more melodic style often associated with Austria and the Tyrol region, Swiss yodeling is slower and more melancholic — an emotionally nuanced tradition rooted in distinct regional dialects.
    ABC News, ABC News, 29 June 2026

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“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

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