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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of discourse
Brennan Nevada Johnson, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
The 1959 amendment that created the equal time exemption aimed to preserve editorial independence and protect free expression by limiting equal time claims and ensuring vibrant political discourse.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2025
Admissions officers want to see that students will contribute meaningfully to discourse on campus.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
Platforms shape public discourse.
—Brennan Nevada Johnson, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
The 1959 amendment that created the equal time exemption aimed to preserve editorial independence and protect free expression by limiting equal time claims and ensuring vibrant political discourse.
—Seth Ashley, The Conversation, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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
Admissions officers want to see that students will contribute meaningfully to discourse on campus.
—Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
-
The interiors already feel styled for gatherings, and the common spaces lend themselves naturally to conversation and celebration.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Kathleen Hanna fronted punk greats Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, two bands that existed at different times in the evolving (but still sexist) conversation about women and their place in culture, with the musicians often serving as paragons of feminist critique and anguish.—
Eric Farwell,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That includes lecturing, building curriculum, pursuing research and speaking about university policy.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Vance’s speech got a cool reception from European leaders who said they felt lectured.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Chelsea strongly believe that Gittens can be a success at the club, and Rosenior has spoken about him positively.—
Cerys Jones,
New York Times,
28 Feb. 2026
-
For decades, the Grimmer family never spoke about Cheryl.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rain is expected to return to the Central Valley late Monday, according to the weather service’s forecast discussion.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 20,
Sacbee.com,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Other than Griego’s questions, there was no board comment or discussion.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But please talk to us instead of just making more or less random statements on social media.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
-
For me, skiing is more about effort than fun—schlepping gear, attempting to not freeze, talking myself down from a fear of heights.—
Claire Sibonney,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There are, unfortunately, far too many examples of women who marry high-profile figures only to be harangued for expressing anything other than gratitude and graciousness.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The tone was all the more remarkable because Desmond had previously spoken admiringly of Rodgers’ coaching capabilities and did not harangue him as supporters did when Rodgers abruptly left Celtic for Leicester City in 2019.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In sequences interspersed in the film, Bean and Rozos converse in a kind of fort-like structure erected in a room.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The hush in public spaces isn't intimidating and there are myriad cozy places to sit and converse.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
More often, though, Tallent demonstrates his characters’ precarity rather than declaiming about it.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Providence doesn’t give you a Latin teacher for a mother without consequence: Samy declaimed classical locutions with scandalous ease.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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