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
  • So far, the efforts have not gone far enough to satisfy the player group, according to people briefed on the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about a sensitive matter.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Right before dinner, with his furry ears on, Luke asks to speak to the captain.
    Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Verb
  • In no way, shape or form should an INDYCAR driver be lecturing NASCAR on the excitement level of races.
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026
  • He was internationally known as an expert on the work of William Faulkner, teaching and lecturing around the world on the Nobel Prize winner.
    Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 13 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
  • Never mind that Canales doesn’t speak Spanish himself — the way that Telemundo announcers start talking faster as the action on the pitch intensifies is its own kind of language.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Now’s the time for the Party to think about it—potential pairings have a little time to court one another—and to start talking themselves into the idea that this could be rewarding and even kind of fun.
    Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 16 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 24 Jul. 2026.

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