1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 oratory
Obama made his name with soaring oratory about a collective opportunity to fulfill America’s promise and a memoir that was deeply introspective about his role in that fight.
—
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Hassan Nasrallah, the iconic leader of Hezbollah who captivated many in the Arab world with his charismatic oratory, was killed on Friday in an Israeli attack on Beirut.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024
She is widely regarded as a pragmatist who lacks the charisma, oratory skills and pugnacious nature of the outgoing populist president.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
No one thought the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on Thursday, June 27, would be the epitome of statesmanship and oratory.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for oratory 
Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Hassan Nasrallah, the iconic leader of Hezbollah who captivated many in the Arab world with his charismatic oratory, was killed on Friday in an Israeli attack on Beirut.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024
She is widely regarded as a pragmatist who lacks the charisma, oratory skills and pugnacious nature of the outgoing populist president.
—Patrick J. McDonnell, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2024
No one thought the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump on Thursday, June 27, would be the epitome of statesmanship and oratory.
—Bill Goodykoontz, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
-
In his speech, the president invoked familiar themes from the campaign trail, including immigration and the economy, and repeated his attacks on the Justice Department and federal government.—
Kathryn Watson,
CBS News,
20 Jan. 2025
-
News Peg Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president on Monday afternoon, and made the comment about Denali in his speech after taking the oath of office.—
Molly Bohannon,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The rhetoric echoed his previous justification for the pullout: that the agreement imposed unfair economic burdens on the U.S. while allowing other countries, like China, to continue polluting.—
Nik Popli,
TIME,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Fourteen years after their initial passage, the record is clear: contrary to the rhetoric, New York’s sanctuary laws have proven to be potent crime fighting tools.—
Peter L. Markowitz,
New York Daily News,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.—
Lizzie Logan,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2024
-
The delightful elocution of their dry-as-martini witticisms (dialect coach Nancy Carlin) adds to the joys of this period piece.—
Karen D'Souza,
The Mercury News,
25 Oct. 2024
Noun
-
For communication skills, think of your specific strengths – e.g., building relationships, working in a team, public speaking or presenting, listening, writing.—
Caroline Ceniza-Levine,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Moody bested more than 30 other hometown girls in a pageant that judged them on interviews, public speaking, swimsuits and beauty.—
Dan Sullivan,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near oratory
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share