1
as in linguistic
of or relating to words or language
the child didn't yet have the verbal skills needed to tell the doctor about the pain he was experiencing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing
a verbal agreement carries less force than a written contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of verbal
That's when Erika Kirk came to Minaj's defense and told the musician not to worry about her verbal misstep.
—
David K. Li, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
After a brief verbal exchange between the two, the Kia driver pulled a pistol and fired, hitting the valet in the left thigh, police said.
—Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Dec. 2025
First, many previous approaches require listening to verbal instructions that would interfere with conversation.
—New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2025
Though Eve uses a rewards chart, Darling is conscious of the importance of providing opportunities not just for verbal reinforcement and positive feedback, but also self-reflection.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
David K. Li, NBC news, 22 Dec. 2025
After a brief verbal exchange between the two, the Kia driver pulled a pistol and fired, hitting the valet in the left thigh, police said.
—Nicole Young, Nashville Tennessean, 18 Dec. 2025
First, many previous approaches require listening to verbal instructions that would interfere with conversation.
—New Atlas, 13 Dec. 2025
Though Eve uses a rewards chart, Darling is conscious of the importance of providing opportunities not just for verbal reinforcement and positive feedback, but also self-reflection.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
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Cultural, linguistic, and value-based assimilation challenges arise, potentially altering national identities and eroding civilizational confidence.—
Daniel Ross Goodman,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
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Geertz was a master of this humanistic art, which required patient fluency and subtle attention to the linguistic and meaning-making features of politics.—
Jason Blakely,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Their oral immunization, called RotaTeq and delivered as a series of sugar-sweet drops to infants, would ultimately be licensed in 2006.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
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The drug also worked better than a placebo and outperformed Amgen’s oral drug Otezla.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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From Ron being just the guiding light of all of it, and so understanding, communicative and gentle with me — just such a great leader in every way, shape or form.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Nov. 2025
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The uncertainty has been hard, even with suppliers being communicative and transparent.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Four Freedoms Roosevelt named were not rhetorical ornaments offered as inspiration so much as a diagnosis.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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Most Venezuelans who are smart recognize that this is a rhetorical device.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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