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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourse
Seth Emerson, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Many colleges and universities remained steadfast in their commitments to civil discourse, creating opportunities for people to talk across political differences.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
This is utter nonsense, and discourse about practically any new game on the market has become so toxic that staying off the internet entirely is the only way avoid it.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
Now, the Gamecocks are almost certainly missing a bowl, and the discourse in Columbia has turned to whether Shane Beamer should go ahead and take the Virginia Tech job if it’s offered to him.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Many colleges and universities remained steadfast in their commitments to civil discourse, creating opportunities for people to talk across political differences.
—Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo
River otters usually live up to 12.9 years in captivity, according to Oregon Zoo.
—Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025
This is utter nonsense, and discourse about practically any new game on the market has become so toxic that staying off the internet entirely is the only way avoid it.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
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There were conversations about a young striker who was impressing at Southampton called Alan Shearer.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Barrymore, 50, spoke about her experience in rehab during a conversation with Mae Martin on The Drew Barrymore Show on Friday, Oct 24.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But Andres Bernal, a political analyst who lectures at the City University of New York, thinks many young voters look at Cuomo's history of controversy and are reminded of the Democratic Party establishment that has left them disillusioned.—
Brian Mann,
NPR,
22 Oct. 2025
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Before the Orange Bowl in January, Penn State head coach James Franklin used his dual pregame press conference with Marcus Freeman to lecture the college football world on his belief that Notre Dame should join a conference.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Earlier in the day, Knowles spoke with Sherri Shepherd on the Sherri show, and praised Blue Ivy for performing onstage with her mother in front of crowds of 70,000 people per night.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
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Diane Brady is an award-winning business journalist and author who has interviewed newsmakers worldwide and often speaks about the global business landscape.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The eyeball test says BYU and Cincinnati are legit good, and Texas Tech belongs in that same discussion.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Oct. 2025
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And this model of access, dependent on negotiation and renegotiation and repeated discussions about individual items, is neither sustainable nor capable of delivering aid at the scale that is needed.—
Anna Halford,
Time,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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So to be there, back in my home state, to cover something that was just so unthinkable, reprehensible, that's always stayed with me, just talking to people in the days and hours after that tragedy.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Oct. 2025
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Therefore, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with a healthcare provider before using sugar alcohols or artificial sweeteners.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Truman would never have harangued the international community that America is First, or obstructed every effort to better the lot of humanity by asking what’s in it for the U.S., not in coming decades but during this news cycle.—
Andreas Kluth,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
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Philadelphia Phillies fan Drew Feltwell wants people to lay off the woman who harangued him and his son over a home run ball at a game last week.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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He and O’Ward converse in Spanish.—
Nick Remsen,
Vogue,
24 Oct. 2025
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Joy’s voice sits inside a rich octet, where horns and piano converse like old friends.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In exchange, the United States lowered some of its tariffs.—
Mira Rapp-Hooper,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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In the third quarter, revenue decreased by 4 percent at constant exchange also due to slow tourism.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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