as in to mouth (off)
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
an arrogant scholar who never passes up an opportunity to posture and perorate on stunningly unimportant matters
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Recent Examples of perorate
As a black spiritual hums on the soundtrack, Hooded Justice perorates about the legacy of being the victim—not the complicit or recruited perpetrator—of violence:
My mama played the piano right over there.
—
Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 24 Mar. 2020
Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 24 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for perorate
Verb
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The Liberty Justice Center was preparing to challenge the unprecedented use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to unilaterally impose the tariffs — and after speaking with dozens of other small businesses, the group selected Schwartz as the lead plaintiff.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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States are expected to ensure drivers can speak English before giving them a commercial license, and law enforcement is expected to check driver's language skills during any traffic stops or inspections.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
13 Feb. 2026
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All the while, discourse around the television series has formed a buzzy backdrop to the sale.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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There are, unfortunately, far too many examples of women who marry high-profile figures only to be harangued for expressing anything other than gratitude and graciousness.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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The tone was all the more remarkable because Desmond had previously spoken admiringly of Rodgers’ coaching capabilities and did not harangue him as supporters did when Rodgers abruptly left Celtic for Leicester City in 2019.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Perorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/perorate. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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