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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
One source of Trump’s instinctive, inimitable political talent is that, for him, oratory and advertisement are entirely coeval domains.
—
Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
He was not limited to a single playing field either in sports (baseball, basketball, and football) or the arts (acting, oratory, and singing).
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
Rather oddly, for a film celebrating oratory in the Arabic language and in a particular Sudanese vernacular, the end credits feature a song in French: a language foreign to Sudanese people.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
He was not limited to a single playing field either in sports (baseball, basketball, and football) or the arts (acting, oratory, and singing).
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
Rather oddly, for a film celebrating oratory in the Arabic language and in a particular Sudanese vernacular, the end credits feature a song in French: a language foreign to Sudanese people.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 12 Sep. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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Booker’s speech appears designed to reassure the party’s base that Democratic leaders are willing to fight.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
2 Apr. 2025
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Booker’s speech wasn’t just a test of endurance but a call to action.—
Melissa Noel,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His rhetoric is dramatically changing the U.S. relationship with the world.—
Ivan Pereira,
ABC News,
3 Apr. 2025
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Musk has faced criticism for his aggressive rhetoric toward international actors and interference with politics both home and abroad, culminating in his failure to secure a Republican victory at the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject).—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2018
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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
Noun
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The Leo full moon on the 12th encourages you to use your voice more boldly, whether that’s through writing, teaching, public speaking, or social media.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 Apr. 2025
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Get Comfortable With Discomfort Identify stress triggers—deadlines, public speaking, tough conversations.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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