speech

noun

ˈspēch How to pronounce speech (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 In one of her final speeches as chancellor, Reeves touted her record on reducing public borrowing and stimulating economic growth. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 21 July 2026 Daemon gets eight points for giving that rousing speech to his former men. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 20 July 2026 There was no guarantee that such a speech would convince Israelis. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 An inquiry was subsequently launched, with Burnham giving an impassioned speech at Anfield in 2014, on the 25th anniversary of the disaster. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
  1. lecture
  2. language
  3. talk
  4. vocabulary
  5. address
  6. tongue
  7. oration
  8. dialect
Noun
  • Classical fans who missed festival co-artistic director Susan Waterfall’s lecture and documentary on the master can stream the film for free (though donations are encouraged).
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
  • In 2009, when D’Souza was a student at Oxford, the venture capitalist Peter Thiel gave a guest lecture.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • Senators Lummis and Bernie Moreno (OH) met with White House officials to discuss the bill and explore potential ethics language.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The film boasts an A-list lineup for its English language voice cast, with stars including Ayo Edebiri, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Finn Wolfhard, Rachel House and Werner Herzog.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Patel arrived in Jakarta shortly after talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet concerning joint efforts to combat international online scam operations that cheat victims out of billions of dollars annually.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • There was talk after every season about Bill threatening to quit and the board talking him out of it.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Scheffler had not seen conditions like this — a combination of yellow and brown, which translates to firm and fiery in a links vocabulary.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • Designed in collaboration with Ukrainian architect and designer Victoria Yakusha, the boutique translates the brand’s restrained jewelry vocabulary into a nearly monochromatic interior.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Both Smith-Howell and Duncan’s phones registered at the address on the night of Duncan’s disappearance, the court document said.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026
  • The car was later found at Izaguirre Cepero’s home address at 20501 Manta Drive, according to his arrest affidavit.
    — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
Definition of address
Noun
  • Jeana Keough, one of the OG stars of The Real Housewives of Orange County, has been diagnosed with tongue cancer at the age of 70, her daughter confirmed.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 July 2026
  • The Rolling Stones The iconic red tongue-and-lips logo of the British rock band the Rolling Stones continues to rank among the most creative logos ever designed.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 July 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • Afterward, the orations turned to internal divisions, particularly those related to slavery.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026
  • 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
Definition of oration
Noun
  • Silvio Carta’s Giniu Gin takes its name from the Sardinian word for juniper, placing both the plant and the island dialect at the center of the product’s identity.
    — Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Rusyn, which enjoys protected minority-language status in Slovakia and Poland, is treated within Ukraine as a mere dialect.
    — Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of dialect

Phrases Containing speech

Browse Nearby Words

sped (up)
speech
speeches
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Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on speech

Nglish: Translation of speech for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speech

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