as in rhetorical
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
a speech that was an oratorical endorsement of the value of education but one that refused to call for greater spending on education
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Recent Examples of oratorical
Chicago-based like the Jacksons — the play originated at the Steppenwolf Theater Company in that city — they, too, are headed by an oratorical pastor who, in his youth, worked closely with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
—
Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025
Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
—Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
To some of Mojtaba’s supporters, the lack of religious qualifications and oratorical skills may not matter.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oratorical
Jesse Green, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2025
Thus enfranchised, Hackman took on Richard Harris’ elegant killer English Bob with gusto, mixing in a bravura oratorical gavotte with ample kicks to the ribs, and summoning the Best Supporting Actor trophy.
—Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 27 Feb. 2025
To some of Mojtaba’s supporters, the lack of religious qualifications and oratorical skills may not matter.
—Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oratorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratorical
rhetorical
Adjective
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For Republican Presidents, this has mostly been rhetoric.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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While the confrontation remains largely rhetorical for now, the sharp escalation in language, and the competing interests driving it, highlight the fragility of the regional landscape and the limits of Washington’s ability to keep both sides aligned.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oratorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratorical. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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