spoken 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspō-kən How to pronounce spoken (audio)
Definition of spokennext
1
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing a spoken agreement is too easily broken

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uttered
expressed or communicated by voice a politician who knows the power of the spoken word

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spoken

2 of 2

verb

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

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

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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 spoken
Adjective
Tall and soft-spoken, but firm in his beliefs, the late Imam Abdullah El-Amin of Detroit was known for his interfaith work and bridge building. — Niraj Warikoo, Freep.com, 5 Sep. 2026 Evidence is needed to build a case for or against the role of firelight in promoting rich, spoken language in our species. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
Members who had barely spoken to each other or had climbed on different days are now connected via WhatsApp to try to enlist longtime Manhattan Plaza residents in their cause. — Sarah Rose Siskind, Curbed, 28 Sep. 2026 Other former officials have spoken publicly about the unethical things they were instructed to do. — Eyal Press, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoken
  1. oral
  2. uttered
  3. said
  4. talked
  5. verbal
  6. voiced
  7. told
  8. lectured
Adjective
  • Petitioners’ odds of winning or reaching a settlement dropped by 48 percentage points if their cases required a formal trial rather than a judge ruling based on filings and oral arguments.
    — Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Sponsored by the oral care company TheraBreath, the series has been positioned as late-night television’s first microdrama.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of oral
Adjective
  • For all their speed-to-market and trend obsessions, fashion companies struggle to update the systems and materials that go into their products, meaning churn reigns and improvements are consigned to that oft-uttered utopian destination known as ‘when there’s time’.
    — Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Definition of uttered
Verb
  • The Navy said the two organizations will create a direct feedback loop between the acquisition enterprise and operational forces.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • It's said to be one of the largest brick buildings in the world.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of said
Verb
  • She's talked publicly about how the New Zealand coastal aesthetic and the California one felt like natural relatives.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Trump talked to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House yesterday.
    — Matthew J. Belvedere,Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of talked
Adjective
  • The analogy resonates, but Ming-Trent — who found confidence in the verbal and intellectual bravado of Shakespeare — seems to have embraced only half the equation that made those artists great.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Garlin was accused by members of the cast and crew of inappropriate verbal conduct, unwanted physical contact, including hugging and touching, and behavior that some employees described as creating an uncomfortable work environment.
    — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of verbal
Adjective
  • Sanders, who co-directed the original movie and voiced Stitch, reprised his voice-over role in the 2025 update.
    — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 July 2025
  • Several cast members returned, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 May 2025
Definition of voiced
Verb
  • Bibb County Sheriff David Davis said at a press conference that local high school students congregated at the skate park at Carolyn Crayton Park late Saturday night after being told to leave the Airbnb where the party was supposed to be held.
    — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 28 Sep. 2026
  • She had been told that Golden Collision was a good place to have work done.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of told
Verb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lectured

Browse Nearby Words

spoke (for)
spoken
spoken (for)
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Cite this Entry

“Spoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoken. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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