Definition of verbalnext
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 Volunteers spoke of the risks of verbal and physical confrontations with ICE agents, including the use of pepper spray and other irritants against observers and even arrests. Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026 Few figures in hip-hop are as comfortable with verbal confrontation as 50 Cent. Preezy Brown, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2026 The children, who were playing on the trampoline, were brought inside after the verbal threats. Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026 Democrats, however, remain adamant that verbal assurances are no longer enough. Gavin J. Quinton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
  • That word is a product of linguistic confusion, according to Yeazell.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026
  • For the bans on Proust and other international writers only applied to translations, allowing those with sufficient linguistic ability to consume scandalous masterpieces from abroad in their original form.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Kennedy has been encouraging the use of two drugs to treat measles — budesonide (an inhaled steroid) and clarithromycin (an oral antibiotic) — but there is no scientific evidence that either work, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
    Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 7 Feb. 2026
  • The change to English-only testing applies to all driver license classifications, including oral exams, according to FLHSMV.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The steering has a natural, connected feel that's not artificially weighted, but is genuinely communicative.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Feb. 2026
  • This is an unusual position for an exponent of the public sphere and communicative rationality to take.
    Sean Williams, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Chancellor Friedrich Merz in recent months has enjoyed a series of successes, both rhetorical and diplomatic, that deserve more attention and praise than has to date been received.
    Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
  • These are not rhetorical musings.
    Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on verbal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!