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 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 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 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
  • Actions speak louder than words, though, and Breslow’s actions last offseason put the Red Sox in a better spot to contend.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In the series’ final chapters, Gein is also shown speaking to Jorgensen, in a fantastical conversation, via ham radio while in prison.
    Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Truman would never have harangued the international community that America is First, or obstructed every effort to better the lot of humanity by asking what’s in it for the U.S., not in coming decades but during this news cycle.
    Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Philadelphia Phillies fan Drew Feltwell wants people to lay off the woman who harangued him and his son over a home run ball at a game last week.
    George Ramsay, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Clarke and his business partner sold photographs and films, wrote and lectured about their adventures, and began treasure hunting.
    Danny Robb, JSTOR Daily, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Since exiting Dries Van Noten a few years ago, Scallon has been working as an independent consultant and mentor in fashion communications strategy, also lecturing occasionally and sharing his views about creative content on podcasts.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025
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
  • The working group held 10 meetings between July and September, and talked to various entities affected or interested.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Home in a comfy chair, holding baby Zakaria, who’s nursing while Mayniel talks.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The cycle can become so accidentally ubiquitous that the former kids who blissfully existed outside of whatever discourses these trends or bands started in their heyday wonder now, as adults, what was so bad about them in the first place.
    Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025
  • Admissions officers want to see that students will contribute meaningfully to discourse on campus.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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