speech

noun

ˈspēch How to pronounce speech (audio)
Definition of speechnext
1
as in lecture
a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience the guest of honor gave a short speech in appreciation of the award

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication wanting to develop a writing system for his people, Sequoya created a system of 86 symbols representing all the syllables of Cherokee speech

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 speech Hearing the speeches from the night’s special honorees, which included Charlize Theron and Colman Domingo. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026 His speech will come as France begins a nationwide cleanup effort and authorities prepare prosecutions for those arrested. — Bradford Betz, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 Once again, nobody seems to have the stomach to stand up to her, and the Italian Prime Minister begins to deliver his speech. — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 The campaign held a two-day event for forum members this month at a casino that included a video game tournament, panel discussions and speeches. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
  1. lecture
  2. language
  3. talk
  4. vocabulary
  5. address
  6. tongue
  7. oration
  8. dialect
Noun
  • The institute expects to add 16 subspecialty providers, expand clinical trial opportunities and house outpatient therapy, rehabilitation and neuro infusion services, along with Baptist Health’s first academic lecture theater.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
  • In fact, the very week our paper was accepted, a leading expert gave a lecture stating that everyone knew T cells could not be grown in culture.
    — Robert C. Gallo, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Noun
  • Givenchy was also fascinating, as Marco de Vincenzo is forging a new language for accessories there.
    — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Jordan Firstman and Matteo Lane were recently unveiled as the English-language voices of Jim and Lucien.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of language
Noun
  • Banijay founder and chairman Stephane Courbit later met with Zucker in New York, though full merger talks didn’t begin until the following year, once RedBird IMI had ended talks with ITV over ITV Studios.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Colombia’s government has canceled peace talks with the nation’s remaining rebel groups, as de la Espriella takes a hard line on crime.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • Together, the works suggest that preserving craft requires more than maintaining its technical vocabulary.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Luxury menswear’s customer base and vocabulary were both shifting permanently.
    — Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of vocabulary
Noun
  • Court documents reviewed by Fortune say Alfozan prompted the chatbot on how to create custom MAC addresses, iPhone hotspot profiles, complete live listening sessions and even build a second and third recording device.
    — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Those individuals should make sure the address the agency has on file is up to date, according to SSA.
    — Lorie Konish, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of address
Noun
  • Toset is more concerned about one that stays put, grows, or becomes increasingly painful—particularly on the side of the tongue.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Smoky mezcal and amaro, counterbalanced with sweet almond on the back of the tongue.
    — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of tongue
Noun
  • The grieving sibling held nothing back in his fiery funeral oration.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Afterward, the orations turned to internal divisions, particularly those related to slavery.
    — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2026
Definition of oration
Noun
  • The conflicts are raw and unresolved, and Churchill forces theatergoers to make up their own minds about the characters’ furious dialect.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Documenting many varieties is a way to not just share the language, but to illustrate how dialects of Pennsylvania Dutch differ and maybe even fill in each other’s gaps.
    — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of dialect

Phrases Containing speech

Browse Nearby Words

sped (up)
speech
speeches
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Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speech

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