Definition of verbalnext
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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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 And while verbal harassment was the most common form, more than 50% reported physical harassment specifically. Allen Devlin, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026 That sounds like a great thing, much better than the situation with our non-verbal dogs, cats, and turtles. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 31 Mar. 2026 Authorities allege the confrontation escalated from a verbal dispute into a physical fight and claim it was encouraged by Lentz’s boyfriend, Clavicular. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026 Officers found the man, who escalated a verbal argument into a physical fight and turned his aggression toward officers, the department said. Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
  • Perhaps Rousseau should get credit for not using AI to mask his lack of linguistic fluency.
    Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Nitsuh Abebe on Pete Hegeth’s linguistic obsession.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Allergists can perform skin testing and an oral food challenge, if needed, to confirm a food allergy diagnosis.
    Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge in the middle of oral arguments, even while ruling against the civil rights of Japanese American citizens in other cases considered at the same time.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Ghosting a seemingly healthy, communicative relationship is rarely a good option, if ever.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 23 Mar. 2026
  • Clarke said Panarin, 34, had been communicative and supportive since arriving from Manhattan in a trade that took place just before the Olympic break.
    Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • In Cuba today, Marxist bromides serve as nothing more than rhetorical cover for corruption.
    Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Such rhetoric shifts focus away from the perpetrator and the broader failures that allow violent crime to persist.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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