1
as in linguistic
of or relating to words or language
the child didn't yet have the verbal skills needed to tell the doctor about the pain he was experiencing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing
a verbal agreement carries less force than a written contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 verbal
Are you aligned? Body language that is aligned with your verbal messages reinforces your leadership presence.
—
Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The former president, who is 82, moved carefully and had few verbal stumbles during his more than 20 minute speech.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
The defiance resulted in a trans athlete winning a girls pole vault competition in February, and then an in-person verbal spat between Trump and Mills at a Feb. 21 White House meeting of governors.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
Gabe Madsen, a skilled three-point shooter whose accuracy dropped dramatically at Utah last season, has reached a temporary verbal agreement to join the Heat for training camp, according to a league source.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Carol Kinsey Goman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The former president, who is 82, moved carefully and had few verbal stumbles during his more than 20 minute speech.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
The defiance resulted in a trans athlete winning a girls pole vault competition in February, and then an in-person verbal spat between Trump and Mills at a Feb. 21 White House meeting of governors.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2025
Gabe Madsen, a skilled three-point shooter whose accuracy dropped dramatically at Utah last season, has reached a temporary verbal agreement to join the Heat for training camp, according to a league source.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
-
These linguistic traces, quietly embedded in the city’s layout, are a reminder that York’s Viking past is never far beneath the surface.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
-
Scientists may need to look at broader linguistic trends beyond word choice, such as sentence structure and how ideas are presented.—
Vanessa Bates Ramirez,
Scientific American,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Rooker adds that early studies suggest that E4 has a stable half-life suitable for once-daily oral dosing and a gentler impact on the liver compared to other estrogen formulations.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
25 July 2025
-
This may include oral (by mouth) or topical (on skin) medications, or Botox injections.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Painting a picture of the way forward and then remaining visible, calm and communicative builds trust and cultivates stability.—
Camille Nicita,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
-
Martinsen described Arlo as an unusually animated and communicative baby.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
That brief respite in Trump’s relentless rhetorical war on his favorite economic foil will almost certainly expire Wednesday afternoon – possibly while Powell is still fielding questions from reporters after the Fed announces its interest rate decision.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
-
The phrase itself is more of a rhetorical flourish than a description of how Beijing sees Moscow.—
Da Wei,
Foreign Affairs,
29 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share