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
Relevance
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
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
Police said Newton resisted verbal commands and refused to let go of a bag that was in his possession.
—
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Learn physical techniques that teach you to escape or survive violent attacks and learn psychological awareness and verbal skills to feel empowered and safe.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Didier recommended Le Répertoire de la Cuisine, by Louis Saulnier, originally published in Paris in 1914, a compendium of more than 6,000 names and brief verbal recipes that sum up the state of fancy French cooking (now known as fancy Freedom cooking) 90 years ago.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Court records show that on April 17, 2025, a bus monitor saw Doty shove the child — who is non-verbal and has autism — from his lap, WDRB reported.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
Learn physical techniques that teach you to escape or survive violent attacks and learn psychological awareness and verbal skills to feel empowered and safe.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2026
Didier recommended Le Répertoire de la Cuisine, by Louis Saulnier, originally published in Paris in 1914, a compendium of more than 6,000 names and brief verbal recipes that sum up the state of fancy French cooking (now known as fancy Freedom cooking) 90 years ago.
—Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2026
Court records show that on April 17, 2025, a bus monitor saw Doty shove the child — who is non-verbal and has autism — from his lap, WDRB reported.
—Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
-
Nitsuh Abebe on Pete Hegeth’s linguistic obsession.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
However, a rare few have been developed into fully functioning living languages, some even by linguistic professionals and professors.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Instead, the findings were limited to oral briefings, shared with Summers and Taylor.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Not only do these tools play a role in oral health and disease prevention, but many people are more likely to stay consistent with water flossing — including those managing dental and gum conditions.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This will set you both up for a healthier and more communicative relationship or will save you from spending time with someone whose values don’t align with yours.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The emerging field calls for more refined methods to determine whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Building and construction unions no longer can use their old rhetorical cudgel in this debate — calling prefab homes flimsy and unsafe.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Although each new rhetorical blow against the alliance brings a fresh shock, analysts say that Europe got the message some time ago.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
