How to Use pep talk in a Sentence

pep talk

noun
  • The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game.
  • She needs a pep talk.
  • Seems like Cole’s pep talk worked.
    — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
  • The day started with a pep talk.
    — Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
  • This little pep talk got away from me.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
  • And these systems didn’t need pep talks.
    — Carmelo Ippolito, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025
  • Green called Scott that night to give him a pep talk.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026
  • No pep talk, no last-minute tips on how to stick the landing.
    — Michael Angeli, Los Angeles Magazine, 18 Sep. 2017
  • And then the reporters as well need sleep, need pep talks, need help.
    — Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 10 Jan. 2025
  • And then Leslie gives him pep talk in the middle of the game.
    — Ineye Komonibo, refinery29.com, 19 June 2022
  • Lawrence, fresh off the halftime pep talk, sat on the bench while his team warmed up.
    — Casey Drottar, chicagotribune.com, 24 Feb. 2022
  • Rae gave Maclin a pep talk of sorts before the match took place.
    — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2026
  • At the end of his pep talk, Cliff pushes him to try in school.
    — Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • The fix is not a pep talk campaign or a values poster in the break room.
    — Juliette Han, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
  • Djokovic left the court for a break — a snack and a pep talk in the bathroom mirror.
    — New York Times, 5 July 2022
  • At this point, would even a Udonis Haslem pep talk work?
    — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Marche’s book isn’t a pep talk, but it’s not intended to cut you off at the knees.
    — Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2023
  • Davis didn't see the need for a pep talk to his fellow relievers.
    — Mark Gonzales, chicagotribune.com, 14 Oct. 2017
  • Here the two nervy women seem to be trying to give each other a pep talk.
    — Lidija Haas, The New Republic, 4 Mar. 2022
  • Phelps started the swim lesson with a pep talk to the players.
    — Natasha Dye, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
  • Give pep talks to both your aunt and the caregiver about getting along.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 16 June 2025
  • Ruiz gives her a really good, no-nonsense pep talk.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 May 2026
  • The coach went through his spiel, a sort of pep talk to the departing player.
    — Ben Baskin, SI.com, 17 Oct. 2017
  • Beth’s final scene of the episode is giving a pep talk to a woman at the bar.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 30 Nov. 2021
  • Of course, Cronin’s pep talk will have nothing to do with the final score.
    — Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2021
  • Williams walked out to collect himself, then returned to give a pep talk to his staff.
    — Emma Balter, Chron, 26 Aug. 2022
  • Songs were sung, there was a cast-and-crew cheer and a pep talk, and the opening line was given.
    — Jennie Key, Cincinnati.com, 3 May 2018
  • But the war on cancer is not the place for pep talks and poetic license.
    — Steve Salerno, WSJ, 20 Apr. 2018
  • Before Hemsworth can proceed, Miller gives him a pep talk.
    — EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025
  • Prince William seemed to give him a pep talk in the middle of their procession.
    — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 17 July 2017

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pep talk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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