declaim

1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject over the last two centuries some of the most illustrious personages of their times have declaimed in the town's historic lyceum

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2
as in to harangue
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech he declaimed at some length about the nation's obligation to spread democratic values around the world

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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 declaim Oliveira films on location, with the actors in costume, declaiming in boldly theatrical tones that seem wrenched whole from the era of the play’s origins. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024 In his tableau-like compositions, with their classical-painterly lighting, his characters declaim, bringing a blunt candor to a refined and abstracted sensibility. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025 Dugin could declaim on their work for hours, and did. James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025 Keeping performers’ voices in good condition for that long haul is the province of a tribe of vocal coaches in Hollywood and everywhere else people sing or declaim for their supper. Jonathan Margolis, airmail.news, 21 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for declaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declaim
Verb
  • The legendary filmmaker promised this on Thursday night in Los Angeles, speaking at an intimate and high-powered event where Universal Pictures unveiled a grand new screening room named for the director.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • Blinder said a shadow Fed chair would mean markets would have to make sense of two influential voices speaking about monetary policy at the same time, but offering potentially very different visions.
    Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • On the other hand, Powell’s assertions have not sat well with Trump, who has continued to harangue him to lower interest rates.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 3 July 2025
  • Coaches, who represent their schools, are strongly encouraged to work with officials rather than harangue them.
    Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Lincoln Mitchell, a political strategy and campaign specialist who lectures at Columbia University, to understand what Mamdani’s primary win might indicate about the direction of national politics.
    Lincoln Mitchell, The Conversation, 27 June 2025
  • DuVernay presents the inhumanity of the situation without lecturing the audience or patronizing the subjects, instead providing an honest portrait of the fear, hope, and lost time that the Central Park Five experienced as the result of a profoundly broken justice system.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace.
    Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Sucked underground by an explosive whirlwind, DK must team up with a talking mineral named Odd Rock to prevent VoidCo from reaching the planet’s core, where legend says something has the power to grant wishes.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 1 July 2025
  • Here to talk more about this is Tax Notes investigations editor Lauren Loricchio.
    Tax Notes Staff, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • During the broadcast Hudson interrupted a question about their relationship, leading to backlash and discourse over her role in the coach’s professional life.
    Glamour, Glamour, 12 May 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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