as in mode
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of locution
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
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
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
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
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
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
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
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locution
Noun
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Hard mode, for instance, increases resource scarcity and enemy aggression, offering a sterner test for seasoned players.—
Jason Bennett,
Arkansas Online,
18 May 2025
-
Smartphone users should use night mode and no flash when trying to get pictures of the northern lights.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
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This treatment offers the potential for full recovery, provided it is administered in a timely manner.—
Mill Etienne,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Video Shows Brothers, 7 and 9, Engaged in Armed Standoff with Police After Refusing to Turn Over Loaded Gun An autopsy report released soon after determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of death to be homicide.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Noun
-
Hitch mount: This requires a trailer hitch and comes in one of two styles (hanging and platform).—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2025
-
Kirkland Signature Double Sided Gift Wrap features six, 90-square foot rolls that come in four different styles.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Comfortable dress shoes are a worthwhile gamble, accenting the tone of the outfit with the rationale of a day spent walking around (sometimes through mud).—
Sam Cohn,
Baltimore Sun,
17 May 2025
-
Dickinson shifts the tone in Loachian scenes with a parole officer and later a counselor.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
Noun
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A certain self-seriousness runs in his black Irish veins.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 May 2025
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Rather than arteries and veins, Mosura also had an open circulatory system, meaning that its heart pumped blood into lacunae, or large internal body cavities.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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