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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Religious leaders from various faiths attend and speak at the event each year, the Imam said.—
Nour Rahal,
Freep.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Sweeney's Penny Jo speaks with a stutter, asking if the artifact is really worth half a million dollars.—
Audrey Gibbs,
The Tennessean,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The White House spent the first part of this week downplaying speculation that the president would fire Powell, even as Trump continued to harangue him on social media for leaving interest rates unchanged.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
24 July 2025
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Weeks after that House hearing, the Fed lowered rates a quarter point, but Trump kept haranguing and insulting Powell, calling for even more easing.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Two hours later, she was heard lecturing the children.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
16 July 2025
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The single most on-the-nose sequence — though there are many — has an unrestrained Christopher Lloyd as a Holocaust survivor conveniently situated to lecture young Clay about the genocidal reality of his experience.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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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According to Jones, the two have not talked since Parsons requested a trade last Friday.—
Jon Machota,
New York Times,
6 Aug. 2025
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Read on for a breakdown of the over one-hour episode that has everyone talking (including that peach scene!).—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
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Admissions officers want to see that students will contribute meaningfully to discourse on campus.—
Christopher Rim,
Forbes.com,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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