speech

noun

ˈspēch How to pronounce speech (audio)
Definition of speechnext
1
as in lecture
a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience the guest of honor gave a short speech in appreciation of the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication wanting to develop a writing system for his people, Sequoya created a system of 86 symbols representing all the syllables of Cherokee speech

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 speech When giving his annual division-clinching, playoff-preparation speech in Cincinnati recently, Roberts didn’t focus on Shohei Ohtani or Freddie Freeman or Mookie Betts. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026 Delegates from Russia and China had sharp words for the United States’ war with Iran and operations related to Cuba during their Saturday speeches before the United Nations General Assembly. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026 The sketch started with Burnham (George Fouracres) proudly reflecting on a recent speech at the UN in New York to Secretary of State Angela Rayner (Celeste Dring). — Scott Bryan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026 After the Falcons’ 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, coach Kevin Stefanski rallied his team in the locker room and delivered a speech so moving, so resonating, his star player compared him to one of history’s best voices. — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
  1. lecture
  2. language
  3. talk
  4. vocabulary
  5. address
  6. tongue
  7. oration
  8. dialect
Noun
  • See also, Serra, lecture delivered at the Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, MA, April 16, 1988.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • John Rogers is seen presenting a lecture in a photo that Hummin Lee emailed to Rogers on May 26, 2017.
    — Eamon Javers, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • Even as strong as the UNEP report is, the language of who does mitigation is so vague as to almost verge on the passive voice.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The ballot measure’s opponents have argued the language around broadband facilities is broad enough to include the controversial facilities.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • The indirect talks come as the conflict, which is entering its eighth month, has caused global economic damage and badly battered Iran.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Progress in talks will be a main focus for markets, as regional mediators push for ceasefire negotiations, said Mahmoud Mashal, senior market analyst of VT Markets Dubai, adding that any meaningful progress could drive crude lower.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Prada presented the skirt as a vocabulary, demonstrating the infinite possibilities that can emerge from an archetypal garment.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The setup is surely familiar to teachers of English as a second language all over the world, but the choice of vocabulary is a bit different from your typical classroom.
    — Will Collins, The Washington Examiner, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Fashion designer Simon Port Jacquemus listed it among his favorite addresses in Vogue, and French street artist Invader unofficially blessed the building with one of his trademark mosaics.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Supporters of the new approach say mandatory treatment addresses root causes, while research shows Housing First helps people remain housed.
    — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of address
Noun
  • New asymmetrical Fieg and Asics branding features on the tongue and mustache, the former of which appears in the latter’s signature font, and a special Kith 15th anniversary graphic graces the insole.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Some Republicans are no longer holding their tongues about their concerns with Collins or his campaign.
    — Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • The grieving sibling held nothing back in his fiery funeral oration.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Afterward, the orations turned to internal divisions, particularly those related to slavery.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026
Definition of oration
Noun
  • Documenting many varieties is a way to not just share the language, but to illustrate how dialects of Pennsylvania Dutch differ and maybe even fill in each other’s gaps.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Italy is a unique country where every city has its own identity, architecture, traditions, flavors, dialects and even different ways of life.
    — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of dialect

Phrases Containing speech

Browse Nearby Words

sped (up)
speech
speeches
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Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speech

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