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

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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 Since then, the president has made stops in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas — though his speeches have sometimes been more focused on his own political grievances than on his plans to help lower everyday costs across the country. Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 Instead, Michael’s speech slowed. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 11 Mar. 2026 In the months leading up to Tuesday’s election, Pearlman delivered impassioned speeches at City Council meetings and provided interviews with media outlets, all aiming at spreading Save Boca’s message. Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026 As his speech started to decrease, his ability to speak went away. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
Noun
  • Copies of his book will be available to buy in the lobby before the lecture, and a book signing will follow the event.
    Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
  • The lecture gives us a bit of background on Greg’s life.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Still, for distributors and exhibitors in the United States, bringing foreign-language films to theaters sometimes seems like an act of philanthropy, while French sales agent grumble about the low sales prices.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Foreign language films, documentaries, cross pollination with their music artists, and more producing are all on the table.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Oil surges as Iran picks Khamenei’s son as supreme leader, but comes off a tad after the Financial Times reported about talks on a possible coordinated release of reserves.
    Nasteho Said, Bloomberg, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Impala Platinum has opened formal talks with Zimbabwe’s central bank and lined up meetings with both the South African and Zimbabwean governments to press for clarity on Harare’s export-earnings policy, its CEO told Semafor, escalating a commercial cash-flow dispute into bilateral negotiations.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • So to get to be playing the character who originated a saying that is a huge part of my vocabulary — and that I’ve been so obsessed with for so long — is crazy.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Rosanna Arquette has a major issue with Quentin Tarantino's vocabulary.
    Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The big story Instead of trumpeting China's tech advances, Premier Li Qiang struck an uncharacteristically somber tone during a nationwide address on policy plans.
    Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
  • And now religion has raised its ugly head in addresses to American troops about the conflict in Iran being a holy war and part of God’s plan.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • On March 2—one day before debuting her new pageboy bob at Paris Fashion Week—Hadid made her grand entrance in a pair of straight-leg jeans that stop well above the ankle, showing off much of her beige crew sock and the entire tongue of her black loafers.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2026
  • If our fates were inscribed in our genetics, why would anyone bother to maintain a skin-care routine, much less go to the trouble of jamming his tongue against the top of his mouth or whacking himself with a hammer?
    Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Jackson said King was in no mood to speak the night of April 3, but found the energy to give what turned out to be his last oration.
    Jim Williams, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
  • During the Trump era, many Democratic politicians have delivered soaring orations, exhorting the American people to be vigilant about safeguarding democracy.
    Michael Luo, New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Most Kurds are Sunni Muslims, but the Kurdish population has diverse religious, cultural, social and political traditions, as well as a variety of dialects of the Kurdish language.
    Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
  • How could food from India’s 23 states — with multitudinous subregions and over a thousand dialects — ever be distilled into the generic naan, dal, butter chicken, dosa and sambar?
    Kalpana Mohan, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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