1
as in vocal
expressed or communicated by voice
a baby's crying is usually interpreted as an oral expression of distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in verbal
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing
lawyers for the plaintiff will be presenting oral arguments before the Supreme Court next week
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oral
In a neighboring schoolhouse, Ministry of Health staff offered all children the oral drug praziquantel, which can both prevent and treat the disease.
—
William McCarthy,
NPR,
4 July 2026
The oral cavity also holds fungi, viruses and archaea, though bacteria account for the vast majority of what has been studied.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
At the Supreme Court During the oral argument, lawyer Paul Clement, representing Monsanto, claimed that Missouri was trying to require a different label than federal law allows, and that the company could not have added a cancer warning on its own.
—
Sarah J. Morath,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
At the oral argument, Sauer stated that birth tourists from China and Russia number in the millions.
—
Amanda Frost,
The Atlantic,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for oral
William McCarthy,
NPR,
4 July 2026
The oral cavity also holds fungi, viruses and archaea, though bacteria account for the vast majority of what has been studied.
—
Allison Palmer,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 July 2026
At the Supreme Court During the oral argument, lawyer Paul Clement, representing Monsanto, claimed that Missouri was trying to require a different label than federal law allows, and that the company could not have added a cancer warning on its own.
—
Sarah J. Morath,
The Conversation,
2 July 2026
At the oral argument, Sauer stated that birth tourists from China and Russia number in the millions.
—
Amanda Frost,
The Atlantic,
2 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for oral
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oral
Adjective
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Since then, Emilie Kiser has been vocal on social media about water safety for children, urging parents to install pool fences and door alarms with working batteries, and ensuring children have swimming sessions.
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The Voice Season 29 winner Alexia Jayy will also have a special vocal performance.
Adjective
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Ro said interactive chatbots have technological hurdles to overcome, such as a mismatch between their verbal comments and their facial expressions.
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According to the preliminary investigation, a woman and Diguglielmo got into a verbal fight over a parking space, BSO said.
Adjective
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The abbreviation dates to the early 20th century, and the spelling emcee emerged as the spoken form became a standalone noun and verb, meaning to host or present an event.
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He’s been nominated for an Academy Award (for his role in Hotel Rwanda) and numerous Emmys, and has won two Grammys (for the soundtrack to his Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, and for a spoken-word album).
Adjective
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Sanders, who co-directed the original movie and voiced Stitch, reprised his voice-over role in the 2025 update.
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Several cast members returned, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch.
Adjective
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For all their speed-to-market and trend obsessions, fashion companies struggle to update the systems and materials that go into their products, meaning churn reigns and improvements are consigned to that oft-uttered utopian destination known as ‘when there’s time’.
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Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.
Cite this Entry
“Oral.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oral. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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