1
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
given the opportunity, many politicians will orate at considerable length on just about any subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the respected anthropologist is expected to orate about her latest research findings before a packed auditorium
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of orate
The Open Meeting Act prohibits directors from discussing (or orating) on matters not disclosed on the agenda, per Civil Code Section 4930(a).
—
Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups?
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
Perhaps a chatbot can even orate.
—David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023
Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025
The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace.
—Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025
Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups?
—J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama.
—Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
Perhaps a chatbot can even orate.
—David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
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The duo had already spoken on the phone three times before Nehls' morning interview with USA TODAY.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
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Most people who spoke to the Herald say they were blindsided by the news.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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Joanna Fabicon, who has lectured on contemporary children’s literature at UCLA, added that educators, librarians and publishers must all grapple with the allegations against Chávez and decide how to move forward.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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More often, though, Tallent demonstrates his characters’ precarity rather than declaiming about it.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2026
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Providence doesn’t give you a Latin teacher for a mother without consequence: Samy declaimed classical locutions with scandalous ease.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The married father of two sons, who had been on the force for seven months, was making his regular rounds and stopped at Circle K, spotting Teresa talking with a 16-year-old boy outside the store, according to court records.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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And, even then, maybe don’t talk to me.—
Jesse Eisenberg,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most presidents have treated it as a chance to note their accomplishments, to harangue Congress into supporting their priorities, and to speak to the American people.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
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After haranguing the receptionist, he was eventually granted a 15-minute audience with Fujita, who advised his teenage devotee to focus on future technologies like computers.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From the whitewashing controversy to the toxic love to the daring costumes, the discourse is going to be discoursing.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
Refinery29,
13 Feb. 2026
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All the while, discourse around the television series has formed a buzzy backdrop to the sale.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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