Definition of elocutionnext
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively the oft-told story that he practiced elocution by learning to speak with a mouth full of pebbles

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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 elocution At first, she was struck by Roosevelt's more recognizable voice, bearing the extreme elocution of a transatlantic accent. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 June 2024 Elizabeth—with her precise elocution, her terrifying and obvious sincerity—sounded like a woman on the brink of a great cosmic battle. — Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024 Rosetta was unusually anxious about public speaking, so she was given elocution lessons. — Anita Gates, New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023 The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject). — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2018 See All Example Sentences for elocution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for elocution
Noun
  • Those cases often centered on devices mistakenly activating or capturing speech that was not intended as a command.
    — MacKenzie Sigalos,Annie Palmer, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But Peter O’Toole plays your adviser and has these wonderful speeches about the importance of the monarchy and the spirit of the country.
    — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The era of political oratory made stars of the unlikeliest speakers, whose photographs or transcripts can barely convey what felt to audiences like an electrical current.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The painting, which had hung in the oratory for more than three centuries, has never been recovered.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And a Gallup poll last year revealed a majority of Americans feel that both parties have gone too far in their use of inflammatory rhetoric to criticize their opponents.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The rhetoric from Rogers and other Republicans about El-Sayed has added to those frustrations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Selections were based on several criteria, including community and school involvement, academic achievement, public speaking ability and youth leadership.
    — Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • While Spencer was no stranger to public speaking, having worked in broadcasting before delivering the eulogy, the emotions of the moment forced him to gather all his strength to make it through his speech.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Elocution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/elocution. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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