1
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
given the opportunity, many politicians will orate at considerable length on just about any subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the respected anthropologist is expected to orate about her latest research findings before a packed auditorium
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of orate
The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Sheridan has an affinity for writing characters who have lots of big things to say about the world around them and their place in it; Yellowstone features hours of John Dutton solemnly orating on the subject of Montana, the ranching way of life, and the threat posed by outside interlopers.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups?
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The most persuasive and engrossing moment of the play comes late, when Harry Nelson is orating for his son’s benefit on the history and necessity of humankind’s relationship with firearms.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023
Perhaps a chatbot can even orate.
—David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023
Marsha, Nate, and Jacob stand on the balcony as Cal begins to orate.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 31 Jan. 2022
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Sheridan has an affinity for writing characters who have lots of big things to say about the world around them and their place in it; Yellowstone features hours of John Dutton solemnly orating on the subject of Montana, the ranching way of life, and the threat posed by outside interlopers.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024
Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups?
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
The most persuasive and engrossing moment of the play comes late, when Harry Nelson is orating for his son’s benefit on the history and necessity of humankind’s relationship with firearms.
—David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023
Perhaps a chatbot can even orate.
—David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023
Marsha, Nate, and Jacob stand on the balcony as Cal begins to orate.
—Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 31 Jan. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
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But six months is still a long time to remember who everybody is on a show with dozens of speaking roles, most of them played by actors in identical jumpsuits, and/or wearing masks.—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
27 June 2025
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Parents recently spoke with experts to better understand how these camps can actually help counteract troubling trends among boys, and how families can make the best decision for them.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Nonetheless, the missing performers were lectured by Richard Grenell, Trump’s new president of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—a man with, inevitably, no experience in any of them—that performers must perform for people of all political parties.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 June 2025
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At the Cooper Union in New York in November, Sumner again lectured on Adams’s theory, while a group of Republicans and radical abolitionists sat behind his podium on the stage.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Verb
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Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Does Joyce’s fellow drama kid Alan (Eric Wiegand) hoist a skull aloft and declaim some Shakespeare in a bad English accent?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This means learning when to step back, when to feel and when to talk, as well as when to turn it off.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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File photo: Donald Trump stops and talks to the media on the South Lawn at the White House on June 15, 2025 in Washington, D.C.—
Isabel van Brugen,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Coaches, who represent their schools, are strongly encouraged to work with officials rather than harangue them.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
21 May 2025
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Angela was introduced in the series premiere as the ex-wife of Tommy Norris (played by Billy Bob Thornton), seen only in haranguing FaceTime calls.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
10 Jan. 2025
Verb
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During the broadcast Hudson interrupted a question about their relationship, leading to backlash and discourse over her role in the coach’s professional life.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
12 May 2025
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Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo River otters usually live up to 12.9 years in captivity, according to Oregon Zoo.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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