tongues

noun

plural of tongue
as in languages
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication he spoke in a tongue that I didn't understand

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 tongues Occasionally eyebrows have been raised and tongues have clucked, as when Nancy Reagan splashed out on new china, but a simple and sober aesthetic has been maintained, as befits a democratic republic. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026 Even with the appeals and distractions of the intertidal world and a few early morning tongues of uni, our bags are still overflowing. — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026 The appointment comes at a time for Seyfried when her name is on the tips of many moviegoers’ tongues, but rather than spoil that now, click here for the full scoop. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026 These were then synthetically created and tested on both human and electronic tongues. — New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2026 Their long, barbed tongues can easily wind into ant and termite homes, licking up the bugs inside. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 4 Oct. 2026 The President of the United States (John Goodman) and his cabinet of hawkish generals, gargoyle-ish officials, and speaking-in-tongues spiritual advisors gather at the oilman’s house to discuss next steps. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 29 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 Mesh on the tongues ensures their breathability, and the simple off-white and black combination will be a breeze to style. — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tongues
  1. languages
  2. vocabularies
  3. dialects
  4. idioms
Noun
  • Opponents say that the constitutional amendment stream-rolls subtlety allowed under state law, like teaching foreign languages in public schools.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The guide must be posted in English, Spanish and other languages that are spoken by employees.
    — Steven M. Frederick, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of languages
Noun
  • Yet a 2023 Stanford study said that Pangram was biased against non-native English speakers, who might have more limited vocabularies, and many AI researchers contend that such detectors are unreliable.
    — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Chinese law schools have accordingly placed greater weight on teaching Chinese students to argue using the vocabularies of foreign legal systems.
    — Mark Jia, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocabularies
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 dialects
Noun
  • There are always critics in all idioms whose goal is writing about something much bigger using a review to get there.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Cinema is, after all, a language, and Belgian filmmakers come from a country built on the need to understand language as a bridge—between its regions, its people, and its idioms.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of idioms

Browse Nearby Words

tongueless
tongues
tongue-tied
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Cite this Entry

“Tongues.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tongues. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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