declaim

Definition of declaimnext
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 But expect more than a few awards pundits to declaim that the Academy, finally, has no other choice but to present Park Chan-wook with his first Oscar nomination. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2025 Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Does Joyce’s fellow drama kid Alan (Eric Wiegand) hoist a skull aloft and declaim some Shakespeare in a bad English accent? Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025 The Koreans have a lesson to share with those whose intellectuals, driven by identity and the metaphysics of difference, declaim ownership of the Enlightenment and its legacy. George Monastiriakos, Newsweek, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for declaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declaim
Verb
  • Serna and Hulst never got the chance to speak one last time.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • The person requested anonymity because they're not permitted to speak publicly about the confidential discussions.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
  • While American pundits wrote haranguing op-eds warning that the breaking of diplomatic precedent would prompt China to escalate war, ordinary people in Taiwan celebrated.
    Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In September 1975, Applewhite visited a small town in Oregon to lecture its residents about how and why UFOs were visiting Earth.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026
  • Universities lecture athletes about fiscal responsibility while writing eight-figure checks for coaches not to work.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • The Open Meeting Act prohibits directors from discussing (or orating) on matters not disclosed on the agenda, per Civil Code Section 4930(a).
    Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Paul DiPierro and Scott Ostrander, owners of adjacent restaurant Origami Asian Grill, encouraged Pruner to talk to the landlord when the space vacated.
    Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
  • My mother opens the balcony door and starts hanging up underpants, talking to the guests with her back to them.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • This lucidity not only makes his work readable but also staves off the perception that discourse about UFOs and the CIA must be riddled with conspiratorial paranoia.
    Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026
  • From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.
    Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 13 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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