ORAL Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

oral

adjective

ˈȯr-əl

Definition of oral

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

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 Later this year, the court will hear oral arguments in a case testing whether a religious preschool can receive state funding while excluding LGBTQ families. — Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026 Known as oral allergy syndrome, this cross-reaction can cause symptoms such as itching or tingling in the mouth. — Lauren Finney Harden, AJC.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Still, research like this hints at where oral health could be headed, moving away from simply protecting or replacing damaged tissue and toward materials designed to help rebuild tooth enamel instead. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 Doseology acquired Feed That Brain for $400,000 in 2025 and shifted into oral stimulant pouches in 2026. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oral

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oral

Adjective

Marshall’s campaign has claimed without evidence that the Democratic nominee bussed in the vocal audience members.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vocal

Adjective

For people who expect visible enthusiasm, quick verbal responses, eye contact or other signs of engagement, the absence of those cues might lead them to suspect something is wrong — but that’s not always the case.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was credentialed for the match, attempted to document the confrontation but was also subjected to verbal and physical aggression.

— Matt Calkins , Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of verbal

Adjective

For the handful of Deaf linguists who attend the event, that definition extends beyond spoken language.

— New York Times, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
The model normally converts a user’s spoken instructions into a sequence of actions that the robot can execute.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 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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Style

“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oral. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of oral

adjective

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