1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
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2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
Obama made his name with soaring oratory about a collective opportunity to fulfill America’s promise and a memoir that was deeply introspective about his role in that fight.
—
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Stevenson’s oratory magnetism was powerful enough to unite, at least for a couple of hours, these disparate and sometimes adversarial forces.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
World & Nation Profile : Le Pen: Dark Side of the French Soul : Crude, powerful and dangerous, the onetime barroom brawler with the mesmerizing oratory has built a career on hatred.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
Stevenson’s oratory magnetism was powerful enough to unite, at least for a couple of hours, these disparate and sometimes adversarial forces.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2025
World & Nation Profile : Le Pen: Dark Side of the French Soul : Crude, powerful and dangerous, the onetime barroom brawler with the mesmerizing oratory has built a career on hatred.
—Thomas Adamson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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In the five-minute-long speech, the once-Democratic presidential candidate also addressed climate change, women’s reproductive rights, wealth inequality and healthcare inaccessibility.—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 Apr. 2025
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In speeches, bank publications, op-eds and interviews, Stern and colleagues voiced this warning with Paul Revere-like energy.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Despite the current rhetoric, there seems to be rare agreement on addressing what many believe is a high-stakes issue.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
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However, given the increase in nuclear rhetoric coming from Moscow since Russian President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022—coupled with the launch of Russian and Chinese satellites—NATO's concerns about security challenges in space are increasing.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject).—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2018
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The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.—
Lizzie Logan,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2024
Noun
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This includes emotional public speaking, tagging, looting, vandalism, or provoking the police.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
9 Apr. 2025
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These past comments from Trump have often appeared to be in jest, or just an excuse to excite his loyal fan base during public speaking.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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