as in presentation
informal
a fast utterance that someone has often said before and that is usually intended to persuade people to buy something, agree to something, etc.
I listened to the salesman's spiel but still refused to buy anything. He gave me a long spiel about the benefits of joining the club.
Related Words
Relevance
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 spiel
The menu at Lex Yard is a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, the selection attuned to the seasons in a way that feels real, not just like empty words in a server spiel.
—
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
McCardell first heard Carnegie’s self-improvement spiel at a gathering of the Fashion Group, a trade association for women in the industry, and then signed up for courses at his Institute of Effective Speaking.
—Julia Turner, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
The zany song-and-dance number will include a safety spiel from Joe the Legal Weasel.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
The demand for sports is commensurate with its unmatched effectiveness as a delivery system for marketing spiels; as such, the segment outperforms the rest of TV’s programming mix, even when the macroeconomic situation is dicey.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiel
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2025
McCardell first heard Carnegie’s self-improvement spiel at a gathering of the Fashion Group, a trade association for women in the industry, and then signed up for courses at his Institute of Effective Speaking.
—Julia Turner, The Atlantic, 1 July 2025
The zany song-and-dance number will include a safety spiel from Joe the Legal Weasel.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 8 May 2025
The demand for sports is commensurate with its unmatched effectiveness as a delivery system for marketing spiels; as such, the segment outperforms the rest of TV’s programming mix, even when the macroeconomic situation is dicey.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for spiel
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spiel
Noun
-
Just as design needs a certain amount of efficiency, the evening’s remarks and the awards presentation were concise.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Both add an extra hint of crunch and flavor, while also taking the presentation to the next level.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Don't sweat it — music aficionados can tune in and rock out to all of the stellar performances, speeches, and festivities via livestream this year.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
-
However, Victoria gave Brooklyn a special nod while thanking her children during a speech.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Chapter Five is actually just a lecture that somebody gives—somebody who turns out to be the protagonist, Tunde.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
-
But at a lecture in Tel Aviv, Israel, about 25 years ago, the audience’s response took Lack by surprise.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The van reaches home ground and no one talks and the only sound along that final stretch is El Camello slapping himself to scare away mosquitoes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Senators are engaging in behind-the-scenes talks to reopen the government.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiel.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spiel. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share