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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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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
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
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Zoltan Istvan writes and speaks on transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the future.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 June 2025
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But six months is still a long time to remember who everybody is on a show with dozens of speaking roles, most of them played by actors in identical jumpsuits, and/or wearing masks.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Coaches, who represent their schools, are strongly encouraged to work with officials rather than harangue them.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
21 May 2025
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Angela was introduced in the series premiere as the ex-wife of Tommy Norris (played by Billy Bob Thornton), seen only in haranguing FaceTime calls.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Nonetheless, the missing performers were lectured by Richard Grenell, Trump’s new president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—a man with, inevitably, no experience in any of them—that performers must perform for people of all political parties.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
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At the Cooper Union in New York in November, Sumner again lectured on Adams’s theory, while a group of Republicans and radical abolitionists sat behind his podium on the stage.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Verb
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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
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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
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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
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Through it all, Thune kept talking to Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a moderate Mainer who blanched at the bill’s Medicaid cuts.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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