oral

adjective

ˈȯr-əl How to pronounce oral (audio)
Definition of oralnext
1
as in vocal
expressed or communicated by voice a baby's crying is usually interpreted as an oral expression of distress

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in verbal
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing lawyers for the plaintiff will be presenting oral arguments before the Supreme Court next week

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 oral Cyclosporiasis is treated with the oral antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 7 Aug. 2026 As the legal battle continues, Edelman has set a filing schedule for both parties and agreed to schedule a hearing for oral arguments later. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Later this month, Tenax Therapeutics will report results from a Phase 3 study evaluating an oral treatment for a type of heart failure associated with high blood pressure in the lungs. — Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026 But knowing when to replace your toothbrush is just one piece of the puzzle—caring for your toothbrush properly can also help support your overall oral hygiene. — Mark Gurarie, HEALTH, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oral
  1. vocal
  2. verbal
  3. spoken
  4. voiced
  5. uttered
Adjective
  • Together, Clancy’s vocal, physical and written messages offered key insights into her perspective in the second week of her trial on three counts of murder in the killings of her children Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, 8 months.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Elevating other leaders that are on our team to be more vocal out there.
    — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • The device’s user manual also warns it should not be used in response to verbal defiance, or for punishment, torture or horseplay.
    — Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Their verbal volley is interrupted as each of them frantically googles quotes and facts on everything from the Zionist leader Jabotinsky to the American actor Jordan Peele.
    — Hannah Seligson, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of verbal
Adjective
  • The collaboration, which comprises exclusive and previously unreleased music, pairs more than 30 icons from music, spoken-word, and comedy to raise funds for immigrant rights and battle the inhumane action from ICE.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The song — included on his new album Chuck Timely & the Hourglass— features the pair exchanging flirty lines in a spoken bridge.
    — Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of spoken
Adjective
  • Sanders, who co-directed the original movie and voiced Stitch, reprised his voice-over role in the 2025 update.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 July 2025
  • Several cast members returned, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of voiced
Adjective
  • For all their speed-to-market and trend obsessions, fashion companies struggle to update the systems and materials that go into their products, meaning churn reigns and improvements are consigned to that oft-uttered utopian destination known as ‘when there’s time’.
    — Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Definition of uttered

Browse Nearby Words

oracular
oral
orate
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Cite this Entry

“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oral. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on oral

Nglish: Translation of oral for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oral

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