discourse 1 of 2

noun

ˈdi-ˌskȯrs How to pronounce discourse (audio)
Definition of discoursenext
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

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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

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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

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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
Like late-summer humidity, Hasan Piker hangs heavy over the discourse. — Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 3 Sep. 2026 This theory isn’t landing in Washington, where the frantic and ideologically charged discourse portrays the adrift Democrats as led around by their left wing. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Verb
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 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
  1. conversation
  2. lecture
  3. speak
  4. discussion
  5. talk
  6. harangue
  7. converse
  8. declaim
Noun
  • If those two facets work out as hoped, and Murray’s ability shows in stats that mirror some of his better seasons, the Vikings should be squarely in the conversation to win the NFC North.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Kadooze to Candiace for plopping right down on the couch and jumping into the conversation instead of letting the snub ruin being a part of the anniversary celebration.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of conversation
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
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • In addition to conversations with Gansey and head coach Nick Nurse, The Athletic spoke with three league sources with direct knowledge of Philadelphia’s offseason maneuvering.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking to Danish news agency Ritzau in Nuuk, said the message from Greenland’s government and people had been consistent.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of speak
Noun
  • One thoughtful question could turn a confusing discussion into a conversation people can genuinely learn from.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2026
  • The vigils, which drew tens of thousands of people a year, were the only large-scale public commemoration on Chinese soil of the Tiananmen crackdown, discussion of which is heavily censored in mainland China.
    — Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of discussion
Verb
  • After all, sport has an almost unparalleled ability to talk to people, particularly some of those most at risk of taking their own lives.
    — Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • What led up to the lawsuit As the lawsuit explains, some former teammates talked among themselves in 2024 with memories of the hazing, and one of them started researching the history of the initiation practices.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • During testimony this week, Warsh sought to emphasize his independence from the White House, which was called into question after months of Trump haranguing Powell over interest rates.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Definition of harangue
Noun
  • 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
  • So, Toney and Ulbrich converse and decide what’s best for the defense, and more specifically within Toney’s passing-centric jurisdiction, what’s best for the secondary and back seven in coverage.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of converse
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
Definition of declaim

Browse Nearby Words

discouraging
discourse
discoursed
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Cite this Entry

“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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