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

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2
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing a verbal agreement carries less force than a written contract

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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 verbal But for deaf dogs, the verbal cue is removed entirely, and the dog relies solely on visual signals. Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025 As verbal conversation becomes increasingly challenging, the sensation of a reassuring hand on Ruth’s back—or the feel of a swim trainer’s arms, gently supporting her in the water—may communicate more profoundly than words can. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 19 June 2025 Witness his absolutely brutal verbal beatdown of a former scream queen in the clip below. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 13 June 2025 The latter quarterback will get a third shot with the Jets, while Wilson ended up in New York and received a verbal commitment to become the starting QB for the Giants in 2025. Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
  • This inconsistency suggests that these models fail to account for linguistic differences in the way humans reason and convey causality.
    Siobhan Hanna, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
  • With this book, Willy’s style began venturing into aberrant linguistic territory.
    Benjamin Hale June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In classrooms across the country, children are routinely taught ideas that conflict with their family's religious beliefs, lawyers for the Montgomery County Public Schools told the court during April’s oral arguments.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
  • Advertisement During oral arguments, Sauer argued on behalf of the Trump Administration that nationwide injunctions are unconstitutional and that the lower counts should have only been able to block Trump’s order in relation to those who had filed lawsuits.
    Nik Popli, Time, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Which domains are operationally critical and which are purely communicative?
    Daniel Strauss, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Geminis are social, communicative, and witty, so give your child a name that can keep up!
    Kara Nesvig, Parents, 17 June 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s rhetorical bombing raids against Fed Chair Jerome Powell could backfire spectacularly on Asia.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • But the rhetorical hostility is deeply ingrained in the regime.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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