speaking 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of speakingnext
as in talking

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

speaking

2 of 3

noun

as in communication

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

speaking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of speak
1
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words finally spoke her fears

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lecturing
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries

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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 speaking
Adjective
Owner Mark Cuban held a non-speaking role during a funeral scene. — Dallas News, 7 July 2022 In the Netflix adaptation of The Dirt, Corabi is reduced to a non-speaking extra who gets about three seconds of camera time. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2022
Verb
But brands and retailers need to ensure their investments are reflective of where consumers are shopping, and broadly speaking, that’s in stores. — James Manso, WWD, 13 Dec. 2024 One of my in-laws will wait for a person to finish speaking, then say something on a completely different subject. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 13 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for speaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking
  1. talking
  2. communicative
  3. articulate
  4. telling
  5. discussing
Verb
  • Create Polls and Ask Questions Polls get people talking, and LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards it.
    — William Arruda, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 3 Jan. 2025
Definition of talking
Adjective
  • Socialisation And Early Gendered Communication Training From childhood, boys and girls are socialized into different communicative patterns.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
  • Butler has been a revelation, fitting in seamlessly on both ends as a communicative, physical player.
    — Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of communicative
Adjective
  • Trump’s speech was articulate, patriotic and effective.
    — Nicole Russell, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2025
  • This is a highly articulate, clearly successful in whatever professional endeavor, man.
    — Bridgette Bartlett Royall, Essence, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of articulate
Verb
  • When her mother returned to Clinton, Andrea never considered telling her what had happened.
    — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
  • By some accounts, this Santa Tracker initiative kicked off by complete accident in 1955, when a Colorado Springs Sears printed a newspaper announcement telling children to call a certain phone number to chat with Santa.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of telling
Verb
  • While discussing his Christmas shopping habits, Rodgers casually dropped the news, explaining that he was stressed about a late-arriving gift for his partner.
    — Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 25 Dec. 2024
  • To that point, some 59% of financial advisors are not currently using or discussing cryptocurrency with their clients, according to a survey released in June from Cerulli Associates.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, CNBC, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of discussing

Phrases Containing speaking

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Cite this Entry

“Speaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on speaking

Nglish: Translation of speaking for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about speaking

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