eloquence

noun

el·o·quence ˈe-lə-kwən(t)s

Synonyms of eloquence next

: discourse marked by force and persuasiveness

also : the art or power of using such discourse

: the quality of forceful or persuasive expressiveness

Example Sentences

The senator's eloquence is well known. She spoke with eloquence on the need for better schools.

Recent Examples on the Web The Left wants to keep Orwell firmly within a tradition of articulate British socialists while conceding the eloquence and profundity of his critique of Stalinism. —

Michael Washburn, National Review, 16 Mar. 2023 The chatbot is able to answer all manner of queries—from coding problems to legal conundrums to historical questions—with remarkable eloquence. —

Will Knight, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2023 In the piece below, the theologian himself writes with moving simplicity, eloquence, and passion on the solitary life and the madness of the modern world. —

Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 8 Sep. 2022 There’s also Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of learning and the arts, who’s renowned for her eloquence. —

Joyce Kinkead, The Conversation, 10 Oct. 2022 Fortes were overly loud for 18th century music, but both here and in the mass clarinets played with particular eloquence. —

Dallas News, 18 Sep. 2022 In that article, which unfolded with the eloquence and elegance of a talented writer, Woolley described Clint Sr. —

Dallas News, 1 Dec. 2022 What always separated the late journalist from other foreign correspondents (aside from his eloquence and his liberties with the facts) was his deep engagement with history. —

Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 June 2022 Like many other people over the past week, Bindu Reddy recently fell under the spell of ChatGPT, a free chatbot that can answer all manner of questions with stunning and unprecedented eloquence. —

Will Knight, WIRED, 7 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eloquence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin ēloquentia, noun derivative of ēloquent-, ēloquens "capable of speech, expressing oneself fluently, eloquent"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of eloquence was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century