speaking 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of speakingnext
as in talking

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Dissimilar Words

speaking

2 of 3

noun

as in communication

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Dissimilar Words

speaking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of speak
1
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words finally spoke her fears

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lecturing
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 speaking
Adjective
After losing his natural speaking voice, Kilmer turned to an AI software company to digital recreate his voice. — Jake Coyle, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026 Each is distinct and immersively imagined by author Woody Brown, himself a non-speaking person. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Parallax Films holds worldwide exclusive sales rights (excluding German speaking territories, Taiwan, and Singapore) and non-exclusive rights for all other regions in Southeast Asia. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 Few things compare to the applause, trophies and recognition, but public speaking gives her a taste of that adrenaline. — ABC News, 13 July 2026
Verb
Their speaking engagements and social media campaigns have sustained public attention even as international media coverage has faded. — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026 That was evident in speaking with Indian exhibitors across the trade show. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking
  1. communicative
  2. talking
  3. saying
  4. lecturing
  5. articulate
  6. uttering
  7. telling
  8. discussing
Adjective
  • Now, from membership in the Nazi Party to the facts behind family lineage or legends, communicative memory no longer has the final word.
    — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Steering is accurate without being particularly communicative, but that's perfectly appropriate for this car.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026
Definition of communicative
Noun
  • As has been the case with the current proposals between MLB and the MLBPA, the sides are dug in on their talking points.
    — Maury Brown, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • And then the real talking starts — with their actions in regard to payroll.
    — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of talking
Verb
  • After Panettiere’s passing, Neutrogena released a statement saying the company is deeply saddened by her death.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • On the battlefield, Zelenskyy was optimistic, saying Ukraine had almost completely regained control of the Dnipropetrovsk region, with only about 10 square kilometers and three small villages remaining outside Ukrainian control.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of saying
Verb
  • Approaching hesitant individuals Health experts said that addressing vaccine-hesitant people starts with listening rather than lecturing.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.
    — David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecturing
Adjective
  • Being articulate is still useful, but articulation alone is no longer much of an advantage.
    — Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Very opinionated and articulate, and seems more interested in the idea behind the idea, rather than the actual idea itself.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of articulate
Verb
  • The other was a tearing beauty, a creature so lovely that one look at her sent young men’s blood pressure skyward and set them to uttering wild, hoarse cries and tearing telephone directories apart with the bare hands.
    — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
  • All season, Shamea and Porsha have circled each other, barely uttering a direct word, but the tensions seep to the rest of the group, trickling into every interaction.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of uttering
Verb
  • Kronengold and Shaw decided to have some fun with Rao by telling the cast that Amita would have to spend several weekends alone in her trailer with the opossum.
    — Emily Gould, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • But away from the sporting arena, the five-day games reveal something telling about why China's winning this technology race.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of telling
Verb
  • The Bruin has also begun discussing programming partnerships with UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television, including opportunities for PhD students to curate screenings.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Other leagues are increasingly discussing centralizing their local media rights sales, with the possibility of bundling them together on a streaming service such as Amazon Prime Video, DAZN, ESPN, or YouTube.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of discussing

Phrases Containing speaking

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speak (for)
speaking
speaking (about)
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Cite this Entry

“Speaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on speaking

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speaking

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