talking point

noun

Definition of talking pointnext
as in question
an object of interest or concern that is being discussed We have several talking points we need to cover. I have a list of talking points here that support my case.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar 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 talking point Every candidate came down hard on fraud, an issue that has been driving talking points for candidates across the board this campaign cycle. — Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2026 Richard Gadd’s visceral transformation from Baby Reindeer’s pub pushover Donny Dunn to alpha-male biker Ruben Pallister in the HBO/BBC follow-up series Half Man certainly proved to be a talking point as Emmy season started to gather steam. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 22 June 2026 All three said no and quickly pivoted to talking points. — Eliza Griswold, New Yorker, 22 June 2026 When Fortune noted that the anti-government waste argument is a common right-wing talking point, particularly beloved of Elon Musk, Goyle insisted there was no contradiction. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for talking point
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talking point
  1. question
  2. topic
  3. problem
  4. issue
  5. subject matter
  6. subject
Noun
  • His office did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press regarding a possible snap election.
    — JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The question should be how technology can make returning it cheap enough that the government no longer has an excuse.
    — Mark Lewyn, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of question
Noun
  • That is a curiosity when the topic is which chatbot writes a better limerick.
    — Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Users complete a questionnaire covering typical first-date topics, including interests, habits, preferences, and values.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of topic
Noun
  • Maybe that’s because these challenging and seemingly intractable problems are usually treated as separate crises requiring separate solutions.
    — Stanley McChrystal, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026
  • No, the problem is not the lack of a good economic case or even the lack of investment.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of problem
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the proliferation of large new data centers is rivaling inflation and the Iran war as midterm political issues--and, like them, is hurting the Republicans.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
  • With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America.
    — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of issue
Noun
  • The film stays true to its black-comedy genre, given the heavy subject matter, and explores the performative nature of internet culture and male loneliness.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Others are real but light—a venue, a referral path, a subject matter expert.
    — Omer Qureshi, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of subject matter
Noun
  • Drawn to the tactile and familiar qualities of paper, Teo uses playful forms and visual metaphors to transform everyday subjects and construct whimsical, imagined worlds.
    — New York Times Games, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The same is true for Sabonis, who continues to be the subject of trade rumors.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of subject

Browse Nearby Words

talking over
talking point
talking points
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Talking point.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking%20point. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of regimen

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All