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
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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
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
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.
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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
The standard of oratory, at the Fiserv Forum, could politely be described as mixed.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for oratory 
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
The standard of oratory, at the Fiserv Forum, could politely be described as mixed.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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In a letter sent to football players and their families, Kelly Lara, an assistant district superintendent, said two incidents occurred involving racist speech made toward, and about, a Black teammate.Krissy Waite, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
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Old trees also matter for climate change, as Biden noted in his Seattle speech.April Ehrlich, ProPublica, 12 Nov. 2024
Noun
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However, what violent extremists perceive as a tacit nod of approval — based on Trump’s own violent rhetoric — could lead to a surge in domestic terrorism in a country that remains anxious, angry and well-armed.Colin P. Clarke, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
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Last fall, she was censured for her rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war, which critics condemned as anti-Semitic.Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Noun
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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
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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
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The program focuses on college readiness, etiquette, public speaking, financial responsibility and mental health awareness, among other skills.Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024
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Second City is where Katie began her work as a corporate trainer, helping companies like Boeing and Proctor & Gamble build teamwork, develop ideas, and boost public speaking confidence.Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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