VERBAL Synonyms: 34 Similar and Opposite Words

verbal

adjective

ˈvər-bəl

Definition of verbal

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

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 After marching from Crocker Park in downtown Sacramento, the protest groups engaged in verbal and physical altercations across a barricade formed by law enforcement officers. — Hannah Ruhoff, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Faculty members in humanities, social sciences and arts have also weighed in, saying that verbal reasoning and writing skills were lacking too. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 In its breathless finale, Curry races through the mansion reconstructing every murder, flinging himself through doors and corridors while maintaining the verbal precision of a stage actor performing at double speed. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 During a verbal exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud in the third quarter, Kanter Freedom stepped over photographers to encroach on the baseline during a dead ball. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for verbal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal

Adjective

Anedda’s way of capturing different moments from different linguistic or interpretive points of view allows the everyday elements of our lives to find space in poetry, democratically.

— Wallis Wilde-Menozzi, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
If O’Donnell’s tenure on Kimmel was a welcome hug of nostalgia, then this White House statement is a boring retread of the administration’s linguistic greatest hits.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of linguistic

Adjective

Now, from membership in the Nazi Party to the facts behind family lineage or legends, communicative memory no longer has the final word.

— Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Steering is accurate without being particularly communicative, but that's perfectly appropriate for this car.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026

Definition of communicative

Browse Nearby Words

verandas

verbal

verbalism

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

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Synonyms of verbal

adjective

Example Sentences

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