Definition of discoursenext

discourse

2 of 2

verb

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

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 discourse
Noun
When Peta protestors stormed the Cos runway at New York Fashion Week on Sunday, much of the online discourse focused on the physical altercation with Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) president and CEO Steven Kolb that followed. Bella Webb, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2026 Kit Harington isn’t letting the Harry Potter discourse kill his excitement about stepping into the wizarding world. Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2026
Verb
All the while, discourse around the television series has formed a buzzy backdrop to the sale. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
  • Easier discussions will be held around tariffs and agricultural products like soybeans, while AI, autos, technology and e-commerce will feature on the agenda, said the official, who asked for anonymity to discuss private conversations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pesticides became one of several possible explanations the community felt was worth investigating – and one that quickly gained traction in Ladera Ranch conversations, social media posts, and local meetings.
    Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Especially for him in the same interview to be lecturing my party on democracy and norms.
    NBC news, NBC news, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Coach Hudson defends Ricky to Gerry’s face, but privately lectures his daughter about the optics of their close relationship as a female football coach and tells her to put some space between her and Chad (and unknowingly, Russ).
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • This means their meaning is easier to guess for someone without any previous knowledge of the gesture or language being spoken; perfect for creating a new language from scratch.
    Hannah Little, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Fourmont, who has belonged to the Lamplighters for 56 years and has been in many fine quartets, spoke eloquently about serving his community.
    Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • There are also discussions about an adjacent White House meeting with AI CEOs next week, which House Majority Leader Mike Johnson referenced, but a representative for the speaker declined to provide further details.
    Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 18 Sep. 2026
  • One focus of the discussion during Thursday’s regular board meeting was whether the community should be allowed to name the school after another individual, despite a district staff proposal to prohibit names of individuals.
    Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Most utility websites and apps still talk to every customer the same way.
    Amber Mullaney, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
  • One of the employees provided a recording of the meeting to The Star, in which Sanders is heard talking to three employees about the altercation and next steps for the business.
    Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • No president has publicly harangued and harassed the Fed more to lower interest rates.
    Steve Liesman, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Noun
  • He was known at the Academy for his wit, his writing skills and his Friday Lunch tradition where staff members from various departments would join him to eat and converse.
    Pat Saperstein, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In her Arizona projects, Lerner says the front is becoming an extension of how people enjoy their morning coffee, move through the day, converse with neighbors in the evening, and relax before going indoors.
    Terri Williams, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • And the conversations between Anna and Molly, Ella and Julia (Ella’s friend and a counterpart of Molly), as well as the stammering and declaiming when Anna talks to herself, are almost always about men.
    Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Woody Harrelson declaims every line, upping the relentless factor of Phil’s mania.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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