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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
King’s ability to take ideas from White preachers’ bland sermons and convert them to stirring oratory was part of his genius, Miller says.
—
John Blake, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Despite his alliance with the Populists and his soaring oratory, Bryan was defeated by the Republican candidate, William McKinley.
—David McWilliams, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025
James Garfield, played by the always intense Michael Shannon, brings his intensity to Garfield's public oratory.
—David Bianculli, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
President Barack Obama was the last Democrat on the national stage who managed to project awe, with his commanding oratory and charismatic presence.
—Washington Post, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
John Blake, CNN Money, 18 Jan. 2026
Despite his alliance with the Populists and his soaring oratory, Bryan was defeated by the Republican candidate, William McKinley.
—David McWilliams, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025
James Garfield, played by the always intense Michael Shannon, brings his intensity to Garfield's public oratory.
—David Bianculli, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025
President Barack Obama was the last Democrat on the national stage who managed to project awe, with his commanding oratory and charismatic presence.
—Washington Post, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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The speech will also be streamed on the White House’s official website and its social media platforms, including the White House’s official YouTube and X accounts.—
Sam Stevenson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
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Crude oil futures spiked more than 5% after the president's speech while stock futures slid, reversing a drop in oil prices and a stock market rally from earlier in the day amid hopes that the war might conclude soon.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Like night one in Los Angeles, the usually unfiltered artist offered no commentary on the controversy and backlash surrounding him after years of antisemitic rhetoric, mental health struggles, and his public apology in a Wall Street Journal ad this past January for his antisemitic outbursts.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
4 Apr. 2026
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The rapper previously shared rhetoric widely deemed as antisemitic on social media, used a 2025 Super Bowl ad to redirect viewers to a website selling a $20 swastika T-shirt, and dropped a song praising Adolf Hitler.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Players understanding the play calls filtered through his thick Southern elocution.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
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The delightful elocution of their dry-as-martini witticisms (dialect coach Nancy Carlin) adds to the joys of this period piece.—
Karen D'Souza,
The Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Prior customer service and public speaking experience preferred.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Summitt implored her to take a public speaking course.—
Rebecca Shore Winn,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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