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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of declaim
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
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
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
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
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
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
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Disciplinary procedure documents shared with the Washington Examiner show that Goldis received several warnings from her higher-ups to stop speaking critically about the PGM sector.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
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Portland Mayor Mark Dion, a Democrat, spoke about the importance of speaking out in the wake of ICE's actions in the city.—
KIMBERLEE KRUESI,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tone was all the more remarkable because Desmond had previously spoken admiringly of Rodgers’ coaching capabilities and did not harangue him as supporters did when Rodgers abruptly left Celtic for Leicester City in 2019.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
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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
Verb
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In her car, Jessica Gabriel’s Lady is an avid listener of DJ Revolution, a fictional radio DJ who lectures passionately about the struggles of modern-day life in Nigeria.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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At her event, Acosta will lecture and facilitate a discussion about the Jeanes Supervisors.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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As the industry now begins talking seriously about agentic AI, a more independent and decision-capable form of artificial intelligence, the question is no longer whether AI will reshape cars, but how far it should be allowed to go.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Many survivors have been helped by talking things through with a licensed psychotherapist.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The most explicitly political of the year’s major contenders is also the odds-on Best Picture front-runner, which has made OBAA discourse the season’s most inescapable topic.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2026
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Cage and Hay also gave a recital in conjunction with a lecture by W. F. Way, who discoursed on the need for a yacht harbor in Santa Monica.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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