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 Hearing the speeches from the night’s special honorees, which included Charlize Theron and Colman Domingo. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026 His speech will come as France begins a nationwide cleanup effort and authorities prepare prosecutions for those arrested. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Once again, nobody seems to have the stomach to stand up to her, and the Italian Prime Minister begins to deliver his speech. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 The campaign held a two-day event for forum members this month at a casino that included a video game tournament, panel discussions and speeches. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 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
  • The institute expects to add 16 subspecialty providers, expand clinical trial opportunities and house outpatient therapy, rehabilitation and neuro infusion services, along with Baptist Health’s first academic lecture theater.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, the very week our paper was accepted, a leading expert gave a lecture stating that everyone knew T cells could not be grown in culture.
    — Robert C. Gallo, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • But, unlike Felker and Bryan, the two don’t share a language or approach.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Brian Romick, the president of Democratic Majority for Israel, put out an issue framework last month in an attempt to move the conversation from the language to the actual policy.
    — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Russia and Ukraine are engaged in talks on ending the plight of people trapped in Oleshky, Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets said in an interview with Espreso.
    — SAMYA KULLAB, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Her talk focused on being flexible and creative when responding to stress.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Clean, high quality neutral linens do more work than almost any other upgrade, borrowing from the vocabulary of luxury interior design without the price tag.
    — Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Name what is happening and create a common vocabulary for the ecosystem.
    — Bob Pearson, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Out of the 20,000 names on the list, only 7,035 had addresses in Los Angeles County and some were duplicates, according to a separate Tuesday court filing by Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan.
    — Miles Parks, NPR, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Those searches disclosed West’s address, date of birth, Social Security number and other information, according to the filing.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of address
Noun
  • Toset is more concerned about one that stays put, grows, or becomes increasingly painful—particularly on the side of the tongue.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Smoky mezcal and amaro, counterbalanced with sweet almond on the back of the tongue.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 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
  • The reality, of course, is that the Southern accent is not some incorrect version of a national standard but instead a historically separate and unique dialect – or, more accurately, set of dialects.
    — Valerie M. Fridland, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The conflicts are raw and unresolved, and Churchill forces theatergoers to make up their own minds about the characters’ furious dialect.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 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 23 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speech

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