as in conversation
talking or a talk between two or more people
Thomas Jefferson is said to have been able to participate in knowledgeable discourse on a breathtaking array of subjects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
grandly discoursed as though he were an expert on every subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourse
Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Bias and hatred infiltrate daily discourse.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 21 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
Host Julie Chen Moonves addressed audience discourse while the season was still airing.
—Jacqueline Jevtich, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Bias and hatred infiltrate daily discourse.
—David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026
Verb
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
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
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
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The teacher reported the morning’s conversation to administrators, according to the suit.—
Rebecca Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
-
The American Psychiatric Association adds that mind-body practices belong in the same conversation.—
Samantha Agate,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Verb
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All while performatively lecturing and demanding everyone agree with his viewpoints.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 June 2026
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If and until that day comes, there will be fingerpointing, lecturing and posturing, all of which has flowed freely in the wake of the Sorsby decision.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Much of his speech and remarks from other officials speaking at the convention Friday focused on party unity after a bruising primary season, where Democrats are hoping to capitalize on what could be a vulnerable year for Republicans.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
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OpenAI Ceo Sam Altman speaks to journalists after meeting with US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on June 3, 2026.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
OutKick/Fox News Digital asked Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson before the game whether the team had talked to Wembanyama about the anthem discussion and whether Wembanyama would be on the floor for the anthem before Game 5.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 June 2026
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The question of whether blue light glasses work as advertised has moved from a niche eye-care discussion to a mainstream consumer concern, especially as screen time climbs and shoppers spend money on lenses that promise better sleep, less eye strain and sharper focus.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
Verb
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There were cartoons while dressing children, evening news while cooking dinner, and, before bed, families watched mutely as onscreen families laughed and talked.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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Sehic said there were many people at the restaurant at the time, and said Campbell was talking to someone else at the bar when he was approached by Harakh.—
Neal Riley,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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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
Noun
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The new hire was Mike Brown, a funny, amiable man, who, at least outwardly, looks to have a converse personality to Thibodeau.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
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Inside this building, generations of artists a century apart converse about similarly distressing and awe-inducing encounters between us and our technological creations.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Woody Harrelson declaims every line, upping the relentless factor of Phil’s mania.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
In the theater, poets declaimed their newest works while musicians competed on the kithara.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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