bespeak

verb

bi-ˈspēk How to pronounce bespeak (audio)
Definition of bespeaknext
1
as in to book
to arrange to have something (as a hotel room) held for one's future use bespoke the rental car weeks in advance of their trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to reveal
to make known (something abstract) through outward signs her expression throughout the meeting bespoke great boredom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to seek
to make a request for milady bespoke our indulgence, inviting us to wait in the foyer while she attended to other matters

Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in to indicate
to serve as a sign or symptom of her impressive virtuosity as a pianist bespeaks years of diligent practice

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 bespeak Trump’s outbursts bespoke the frustration of a thoroughly incompetent ruler who began a war with no plan for how to conduct or conclude it and was unprepared for Iran’s resistance. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 Planning and thievery on this scale bespeaks a ring of metal poaching. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026 Known for its delicate texture and plain looks, this pie bespeaks old-school Southern class and charm. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026 The cockpit is not ostentatious but is very comfortable, with high-quality materials that bespeak Mazda’s near-luxury intentions for this vehicle, including lots of padded surfaces, high-quaity switchgear, and contrasting stitching. — Dale Buss, Forbes.com, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bespeak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for bespeak
  1. book
  2. reveal
  3. seek
  4. indicate
  5. display
  6. request
  7. mean
  8. show
Verb
  • The other option, pushing the Super Bowl back a week, was initially rejected because New Orleans, the host city, had booked an automobile dealers’ convention that had gobbled up most of the desirable hotel rooms.
    — Michael Silver, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • SpaceX got the rest of the contracts, with 22 launches booked on Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets for a total value of $4 billion.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of book
Verb
  • Players have revealed their concerns about harassment and death threats reaching a traumatizing level.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Astrophotographer Kevin Boardman captured this spectacular view of the Crescent Nebula, revealing intricate filaments of gas surrounding a massive star nearing the end of its life some 4,700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Cygnus.
    — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of reveal
Verb
  • The split also means immigrants in some parts of the country are getting bail hearings while those in other places, including Texas and Louisiana, face additional hurdles to seek release.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • According to the document’s timeline, NASA seeks a groundbreaking for a permanent campus no later than next year, the first class to be enrolled and begin studies in temporary facilities in 2028, and a transition to a permanent campus in 2031.
    — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of seek
Verb
  • Forgive my speculation, but all this seems to indicate a breaking point if Cincinnati doesn’t find success this year.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The pilots did not inform air traffic controllers of any problems with the plane prior to landing, air traffic control audio indicated.
    — Maria Aguilar Prieto, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of indicate
Verb
  • At home, the Tigers have a setup in their cage, displaying moves from starters and relievers on a screen, allowing players to practice reads and jumps.
    — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The term seems to imply a mastery of all the resources of a form, displayed in a surprising context without self-conscious artfulness.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of display
Verb
  • But hey, this is a girl who requested that her college graduation gift be a trip to see the HOF in Canton.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Under such a contract, customers (like the Navy) will request Seasat to supply the boats, launch them, maintain them, operate the autonomous system, and presumably provide the sensor/data service.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of request
Verb
  • Armed with an engine upgrade on their cars for this event, the Ferrari drivers entered the weekend with hopes of challenging for the win at an iconic race that means so much to their team.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The prevalence of starwashing does not mean that all extraterrestrial endeavors should be scorned, said The Cool Down.
    — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of mean
Verb
  • The data set shows the Hong Kong chief executive is the second-highest earner ​globally with $719,000 annually, followed by the Swiss president at $606,000.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026
  • As polls show the public increasingly favoring guardrails for AI safety — and opposing data center buildouts — the White House is likely to face still more calls for an explanation of why a more transparent framework is not possible.
    — Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of show

Browse Nearby Words

bespatters
bespeak
bespeaking
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bespeak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bespeak. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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