as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words
in the poet's somewhat affected locution, word order is often reversed and so we have "the sea serene"
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Recent Examples of locution
Confucius says—an old-fashioned locution, perhaps, but appropriate here—never to take interest in feats of strength.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locution
Noun
-
The Transparency mode isn’t as natural-sounding as that of the AirPods Pro.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Up to four players can duke it out with sliding paddles and marbles shot out of cannons, in any of three different game modes.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
She was formally charged with Donohue's murder Thursday after an autopsy found his cause and manner of death to be a homicide by stabbing.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The Charleston native previously ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2004, but was later fined $19,500 by the Federal Election Commission for failing to file reports detailing his personal campaign spending in a timely manner, according to local news outlet WIS News 10.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The Post-Season Pick ($16.99) comes with 10 wings any style, curly fries, and a Pepsi or Bud Light for $16.99.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The Green Tile Social Club game follows the Hong Kong style of play.—
Claire Turrell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
As Season 4 got underway, Williams started sitting in on production meetings, tone meetings, concept meetings, and asking questions.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2025
-
The tone set by head coach Andy Reid and enforced by locker room leaders like Mahomes, Kelce and defensive tackle Chris Jones has made the Super Bowl the standard in Kansas City.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
After consulting with Dončić shortly after the trade over the weekend, the Lakers prioritized adding a lob threat and rim-runner to pair with Dončić in a similar vein to Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, Dončić’s former Dallas teammates.—
Jovan Buha,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
-
In the vein of Adult Best Friends and Babes, Kinda Pregnant observes what happens when friends start growing in different directions.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near locution
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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