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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But on Monday, they will be lined up in such a manner to appear relatively close to each other.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
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Claude will suddenly and unexpectedly tell a user during an ordinary chat to consider getting some sleep or rest, doing so in a casual, positive manner (not a harsh demand or rude insistence).—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Measured rehabilitation of the First Lady’s character has been the dominant mode of Mary Lincoln biography for more than seventy years.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Beijing will likely remain in a wait-and-see mode and reassess its policy stance in July after the second quarter GDP data, Zhang said.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
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While Kendrick Lamar was conquering the hip-hop world, Rashad was honing an introspective style inspired by Southern hip-hop pioneers like Lil Wayne and OutKast.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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And, if bright white pants aren’t your thing, keep reading for off-white styles inspired by Martha Stewart and Joanna Gaines.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Moore tried the exchange a few more times, in different tones—more acidic, more surprised, more chaotic.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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When Mercury meets Uranus, a hidden detail or unexpected confession could shift the whole tone.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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