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
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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The additional talent can be acquired in any manner, so the Pacers have a new tool to sign someone, make a trade, or claim someone off of waivers.—
Tony East,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Carey continues in her characteristically reserved manner.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The idea is that users can activate AI into a teaching mode and, ergo, no longer be trapped in the instant oatmeal conundrum.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Ross is currently in travel mode — as she’s scheduled to appear at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) on Friday to discuss the series’ overwhelming success.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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With non-professional actors from Indigenous communities and a visual style grounded in children’s perspective, the project blends social realism with magical elements.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
18 Aug. 2025
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But regardless of genre, most narrative shows shared a style — they were told through the perspective of a single reporter-host, who not only guided a listener through a story but invited them along on the reporting journey.—
Eric Benson,
Rolling Stone,
18 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Sometimes there’s been a long gap since the last session, and the actor must recall the emotional tone from the previous performance.—
Nick Newman,
IndieWire,
7 Aug. 2025
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Research suggests that turmeric soap could help improve inflammatory skin conditions, promote wound healing, treat acne, support an even skin tone, and more.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Verywell Health,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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