as in talking
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as in communication
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
finally spoke her fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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.
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Recent Examples of speaking
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
This will be a recurring non-speaking role that pays $195 for 12 hours of work.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
After lunch, the kids have basketball training and work on life skills like public speaking and financial literacy.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Neither scenario is without risk for China, according to a second Chinese source speaking on the condition of anonymity.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speaking
Adjective
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take inventory of your home and see what's still working and what could use an update—both practically speaking, and in terms of aesthetics.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
This will be a recurring non-speaking role that pays $195 for 12 hours of work.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
The president is offered a 15-minute speaking slot at the WHCD.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
After lunch, the kids have basketball training and work on life skills like public speaking and financial literacy.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Generally speaking, that’s the sort of creative process that tends to reward caution over reinvention.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 4 May 2026
Neither scenario is without risk for China, according to a second Chinese source speaking on the condition of anonymity.
—Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for speaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking
Noun
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As Hyman filmed talking points, the women quietly lifted weights next to a man wearing a Turning Point USA T-shirt and carrying a camouflage National Rifle Assn.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
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After getting swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Devin Booker and his future with the Phoenix Suns became a national talking point in recent days.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Lakers are saying very nice things about the defending champion Thunder ahead of their second-round matchup.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
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But financial advisors disputed that characterization, saying $465,000 wouldn't necessarily qualify someone as being wealthy in retirement — especially when that nest egg might have to be spread over roughly two or three decades.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Verb
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At Yale, where Garber began her career, Jacques Derrida was a frequent visitor, and Paul de Man might be found down the corridor solemnly lecturing on Nietzsche.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?—
Jerald McNair,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This will set you both up for a healthier and more communicative relationship or will save you from spending time with someone whose values don’t align with yours.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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The emerging field calls for more refined methods to determine whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Womble sat silently, not uttering a word after entering his guilty plea.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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So far, 1,500 Orange County voices have spoken without uttering a word.—
Mindy Schauer,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Rubio is one of the most eloquent, articulate, & incredibly capable statesmen of our times.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
6 May 2026
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Reading and interacting with students’ original thoughts in class helps teachers understand how students think and articulate.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like Flores and Natal, Kaik found that the company, York Service & Towing, would only take cash, telling her that sometimes, people would pay with a credit card then cancel the card before payment went through.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after telling her to contact security, Alvarez arrived upstairs.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The open letter comes as EU Member states are discussing plans to combine funding for culture, media and civil society into a single pot.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
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Board members had signed nondisclosure agreements barring them from discussing information related to the search, partly to protect candidates’ current employment.—
Kate Armanini,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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