Synonyms of discourse

discourse 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrs 

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

• conversation
• discussion
• converse
• exchange
• dialogue
• chat
• debate
• colloquy
• banter
• raillery
• persiflage
• prattle
• babble
• symposium
• chaff
• repartee
• cross fire
• small talk
• chatter
• chitchat
• conference
• give-and-take
• roundtable
• prate
• table talk
• parley
• deliberation
• confabulation
• palaver
• gabfest
• natter
• round-robin
• gossip
• rap
• chin-wag

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

• lecture
• speak
• talk
• harangue
• expatiate
• declaim
• descant
• hold forth
• orate
• take the floor
• soliloquize
• sermonize
• pontificate
• expound
• mouth
• recite
• dissert
• spout
• filibuster

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

• speak
• harangue
• mouth (off)
• talk
• declaim
• orate
• rant
• lecture
• perorate
• preach
• rave
• announce
• broadcast
• proclaim
• sermonize
• bloviate
• advertise
• pronounce
• blow
• speechify
• declare

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of discourse

Noun

These presumptions shifted the world’s discourse from how to limit carbon pollution to how to remove it from the atmosphere after the fact. — Katie Worth, ProPublica, 30 Oct. 2026

Both of those issues far outweighed the concerns of California voters about other issues that dominated the political discourse in past elections, including fighting crime, creating jobs and improving public education and healthcare. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing. — Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 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