1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
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2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
Darrow, in spite of his powerful oratory, and in spite of outmaneuvering Bryan during their exchange, was up against the fact that Scopes had admitted to teaching evolution, in violation of the Butler Act.
—
Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
On Friday, as the Rams prepared for the second night of the draft, McVay used his oratory skills before another assemblage of pros.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Dan Falk, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025
On Friday, as the Rams prepared for the second night of the draft, McVay used his oratory skills before another assemblage of pros.
—Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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The documentary shows Monica filming Weston on her phone during his speech and, again, later when he was being interviewed by the media.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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The group and its nearly 20,000 members have become so influential that top politicians from both sides of the aisle have given speeches at the conference.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beneath Nkrumah’s elaborate rhetoric, Mazrui argued, lay a simple drive to consolidate control through a one-party state that would inevitably empower only his most loyal—and least thoughtful—allies.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
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If Gorsuch and Kavanaugh have attracted blowback for their individual writings of late, on the left side of the court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's rhetoric has also raised eyebrows for her slashing dissents.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Players understanding the play calls filtered through his thick Southern elocution.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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The delightful elocution of their dry-as-martini witticisms (dialect coach Nancy Carlin) adds to the joys of this period piece.—
Karen D'Souza,
The Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Prior to receiving his sentence, the court heard from prosecutors that Diddy was already making immediate plans for a public speaking engagement in another state.—
Tracy Wright , Lauryn Overhultz , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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The killing of the 31-year-old Kirk at a public speaking event last week has stoked safety concerns for both Democrats and Republicans and prompted fears of a spiral of political violence in the country.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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