Definition of elocutionnext
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles

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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 elocution At first, she was struck by Roosevelt's more recognizable voice, bearing the extreme elocution of a transatlantic accent. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 June 2024 Elizabeth—with her precise elocution, her terrifying and obvious sincerity—sounded like a woman on the brink of a great cosmic battle. Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 Rosetta was unusually anxious about public speaking, so she was given elocution lessons. Anita Gates, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023 The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject). IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2018 See All Example Sentences for elocution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elocution
Noun
  • During a trip to China, Huang gave a speech at the opening of the supply chain trade fair and met Chinese politicians.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 14 July 2026
  • The head of the University of Missouri System, for example, warned employees at the time that their online speech could result in termination.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026
Noun
  • By copying texts, the monk incorporated the words, absorbing them in a process akin to that described by the Greek rhetorician Quintilian, who emphasized internalizing classical texts as a foundation for oratory and writing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
  • Hamer signed up and, through her courage, charisma, and oratory, quickly drew ardent disciples and ruthless adversaries.
    Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • The rhetoric comes across as a little harsh, and some people are disappointed by that.
    Jack Herrera, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
  • The back-and-forth doesn’t lend itself to the rhetoric of de-escalation that Wall Street had been hoping for.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 July 2026
Noun
  • Farage has many sources of income other than a lawmaker’s salary, including hawking gold bullion, hosting a TV current affairs show, public speaking and recording personal video messages on the Cameo platform.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • The most important of all communication skills for influencing others is public speaking.
    William Arruda, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elocution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elocution. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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