Synonyms of verbal

verbal

adjective

ˈvər-bəl 

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

• linguistic
• communicative
• rhetorical
• lexical
• wordy
• vocabular
• conversational

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonverbal
• nonlinguistic
• nonlexical

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

• oral
• spoken
• unwritten
• verbalized
• nuncupative
• word-of-mouth
• viva voce
• implicit
• consensual
• informal
• articulated
• sounded
• voiced
• said
• told
• pronounced
• stated
• given

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• written
• formal
• explicit
• paper

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of verbal

The fatal incident began as a verbal altercation that ensued between Bickham and the group of four people, according to prosecutors. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2026

An album this immersed in relatively straightforward love songs could use this moment of awkward verbal snogging. — Chris Willman, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026

Since the bonus could not be delivered until age 16, teams had begun locking up talent younger and younger with verbal IOUs. — Tracy Weber, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2026

Officers gave verbal commands to de-escalate the situation, according to the police account. — Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Sep. 2026