ventriloquize

verb

ven·​tril·​o·​quize ven-ˈtri-lə-ˌkwīz How to pronounce ventriloquize (audio)
ventriloquized; ventriloquizing

transitive verb

: to utter in the manner of a ventriloquist

Examples of ventriloquize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Why not experiment, mess around a little, throw your voice, ventriloquize, pick up one form and put it down and move on to another? New York Times, 7 Dec. 2021 Julius was played by a wooden dummy that Leonard failed to ventriloquize. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 23 Mar. 2020 Phoebe’s chapters are just Will’s best attempt to ventriloquize Phoebe’s voice, to erase his ego and become Phoebe’s living conduit. Constance Grady, Vox, 3 Aug. 2018 The Wylies ventriloquize Janice and reveal her dear and reckless self. James Ellroy, Vanities, 7 Oct. 2017 The sound was immense, seeming to ventriloquize the orchestra sitting silently by. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of ventriloquize was in 1844

Dictionary Entries Near ventriloquize

Cite this Entry

“Ventriloquize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ventriloquize. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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