Definition of nuncupativenext
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing the soldier left a nuncupative will that was witnessed by two of his comrades

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for nuncupative
Adjective
  • Allergists can perform skin testing and an oral food challenge, if needed, to confirm a food allergy diagnosis.
    Dr. Sonja O'Leary, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the challenge in the middle of oral arguments, even while ruling against the civil rights of Japanese American citizens in other cases considered at the same time.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Physically frail, yet in full verbal command, Julian doesn’t talk to Lori so much as at her, pausing only to fire off questions that harden, in midair, into assumptions.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Roediger allegedly saw the woman speaking with her boyfriend in the front yard on her bedroom security monitor and then went to the front door where a verbal altercation ensued.
    Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Nuncupative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nuncupative. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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