Definition of oratenext
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

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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

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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 orate The Open Meeting Act prohibits directors from discussing (or orating) on matters not disclosed on the agenda, per Civil Code Section 4930(a). Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
  • For women, advice to speak confidently and to promote yourself with positive voice would fall short, as this alone did not lead to women being valued as emerging leaders.
    Melissa A. Wheeler, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • All six candidates for Jackson County executive spoke about their plans for the sports complex while on the campaign trail.
    Ilana Arougheti July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • Khimasia is an independent curator who currently lectures at Rutgers University.
    News Desk, Artforum, 27 July 2026
  • Fauci stepped down from his NIAID post at the end of 2022 and segued to a lecturing job at Georgetown.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • Woody Harrelson declaims every line, upping the relentless factor of Phil’s mania.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 18 May 2026
  • More often, though, Tallent demonstrates his characters’ precarity rather than declaiming about it.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • System dates to 1960s The whole time the inspectors were in the pipe, firefighters were able to talk with them.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Before moving in, talk about money The Gottman Institute recommends that couples talk openly about income, debt and spending habits before combining households.
    Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • During testimony this week, Warsh sought to emphasize his independence from the White House, which was called into question after months of Trump haranguing Powell over interest rates.
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • Specifically, the majority of debate and discourse around the CLARITY Act centers around not only the ability of stablecoin issues to provide yield and yield adjacent products, but how these institutions should be regulated.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • This lucidity not only makes his work readable but also staves off the perception that discourse about UFOs and the CIA must be riddled with conspiratorial paranoia.
    Louis Bury, ARTnews.com, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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