as in manner
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words
in the poet's somewhat affected locution, word order is often reversed and so we have "the sea serene"
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Recent Examples of locution
Providence doesn’t give you a Latin teacher for a mother without consequence: Samy declaimed classical locutions with scandalous ease.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Confucius says—an old-fashioned locution, perhaps, but appropriate here—never to take interest in feats of strength.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Confucius says—an old-fashioned locution, perhaps, but appropriate here—never to take interest in feats of strength.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locution
Noun
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San Antonio is looking to bounce back after falling short of a comeback in a devastating manner in Game 2.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
9 June 2026
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The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.—
Garrett Behanna,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The second is going full out, plunging into the vacuum with such enthusiasm that dormant modes are made odd and affecting again.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
7 June 2026
-
It is believed that Baltyuor’s vision for the fest going forward clashed with Pandya Malhotra’s mode of operation, according to sources.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
With just 54 residential-style rooms, an address in Aspen’s quiet West End neighborhood, and high-touch service, the vibe is more private mountain house than hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 June 2026
-
The best couches for small spaces are the styles that have a compact silhouette but don’t lack character.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Shen’s hustle set an early tone.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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Giglio, one of the seven Tuscan islands, has always carried that tone in its history.—
Valentina Di Donato,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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