speech

Definition of speechnext
1
as in lecture
a usually formal discourse delivered to an audience the guest of honor gave a short speech in appreciation of the award

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2
as in language
the stock of words, pronunciation, and grammar used by a people as their basic means of communication wanting to develop a writing system for his people, Sequoya created a system of 86 symbols representing all the syllables of Cherokee speech

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of speech Vic, a 33-year-old public-policy professor from Brooklyn whose résumé is as impressive as his face card, seems to connect with 30-year-old speech-language pathologist Christine on multiple levels. Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026 Chaillaux, 48, had given a speech to San Fernando Post 176 outside Los Angeles. Bill Swank, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 The building also includes three clinics that serve the Denton community, including a speech and hearing clinic, a counseling and family therapy clinic, and the Institute for Women’s Health. Ciara McCarthy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026 Free-speech civil-society groups on the right and the left were irked by Kuhl’s decision. Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speech
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speech
Noun
  • But that move has always struck me as a little goofy in an introduction, like the teacher who delivers her lecture on punctuality to a bunch of empty seats.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The lecture will cover how to use the flower in gardens and for decorations.
    La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Despite speaking different languages, Toro Sepulveda and Henry became close friends, both said.
    Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The new program at Butler is one of just five Deaf education programs in the country with a focus on spoken language, according to the program’s website.
    Claire Rafford, IndyStar, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some of those talks have sidelined antitrust chief Gail Slater, who inherited the Live Nation case from the Biden administration but has pursued it toward a trial set for March.
    Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Pezeshkian, who ordered Araghchi to pursue talks with the Americans after likely getting Khamenei’s blessing, also wrote on X on Sunday about the talks.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Her outfit stayed inside Browne’s gray suit vocabulary, layering a glen-check blazer with strong shoulders layered over a matching waist panel and pleated detail at the hip, finished with the brand’s red-white-blue grosgrain tab at the hem.
    Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 7 Feb. 2026
  • Moira, a career-capping (and Emmy-winning) role in the comedy created by Eugene and son Dan Levy, brought O’Hara legions of new fans — and elevated a new vocabulary.
    Jocelyn Noveck, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Avoid quickly sharing your phone number, employer, home address, or social media profiles.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • The license requires an applicant to register the owner’s name or the name of a local representative, physical address, phone number, email address, information on safety equipment, and a description of the property being rented.
    Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • After 35 rounds of radiation and painful robotic surgery on his tongue, Coulier can finally begin to recover from his cancer battle.
    Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • This neutral running shoe has a slim, knitted tongue that floats over the top of your feet, locking them in without applying uncomfortable pressure.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Before his assassination at age 39 on April 4, 1968, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate spent a decade giving fearless orations and profound insights that continue to inspire generations, all deserving attention and consideration.
    Lydia Price, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026
  • Though Garfield is attending the RNC reluctantly to give a speech in support of his friend, Congressman James Blaine (Bradley Whitford), for the presidency, his rousing oration inadvertently earns him the nomination.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Steven Gebelin, who represented Puig in 2021 and 2022, testified at trial that his then-client tried to be helpful during the interview but, because the interpreter’s Spanish dialect differed from Puig’s, his answers were translated poorly.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Puig’s former attorney Steven Gebelin testified that during the January 2022 interview, Puig tried to be helpful in answering the investigators’ questions and the interpreter struggled with Puig’s Spanish dialect, according to the New York Times.
    Jaimie Ding, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Speech.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speech. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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