LECTURE Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

lecture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of lecture

as in to scold

to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings the frustrated manager lectured the waitstaff about its poor level of service

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to speak

to give a formal often extended talk on a subject a physician who has lectured before countless audiences on the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding heart disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

lecture

2 of 2

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 lecture

Verb

Universities lecture athletes about fiscal responsibility while writing eight-figure checks for coaches not to work. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026 Some commentators in the United States have taken the opportunity to lecture Europeans, and perhaps even indulge in a little schadenfreude. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

Noun

The Irish actor changed his appearance and mentally transformed for the role, but one of his most impressive feats was learning to give an advanced physics lecture entirely in Dutch. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 The experience sent Wright back to a 2018 lecture Hinton gave on how large language models actually work. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for lecture

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lecture

Verb

Soon though, Shawna noticed some of Zaayer's strange behaviors — including scolding her grandson, getting upset over cleaning habits and allegedly showing them racist videos.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Justice Barrett actually sounded kind of sharp, almost scolding, in the opinion in her criticism of the assertions made by the plaintiffs and some of the justices in the minority.

— John E. Jones III, The Conversation, 1 July 2026

Definition of scold

Verb

Security camera footage from a nearby residence showed the Durango parked in a driveway when three suspects approached the vehicle’s driver’s side and spoke engaged with Mitchell, the probable cause statement said.

— Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026
Just a few days later, Navratilova spoke by phone about the film, the friendship and their cancer battles.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Definition of speak

Noun

If a street preacher shouts their sermon into a bullhorn on a public street, and a nearby business owner calls the police, who is in the right?

— Emily Holshouser July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
The Cupichs attended a parish where mass was celebrated in Latin (the liturgical changes of the Second Vatican Council were yet to come) but the sermons were spoken in Croatian.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026

Definition of sermon

Verb

Her Volumnia bellows at her meek daughter-in-law, Virgilia (Justine Faith) as though reprimanding an incompetent private.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Wimbledon fashion is also something that can get patrons in trouble, with Andy Samberg saying he was reprimanded for wearing black jeans in the Royal Box.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of reprimand

Verb

Before assuming the new borrowing limits apply to you, talk with your financial aid office.

— Scott White, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Above, her mother’s brother, Abdullahi Mohamed, cradled a cup of tea in his hands and talked to her parents about their Central Avenue community, the news of the day and the global events that dominated the early 2000s.

— Julia Coin Updated July 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 July 2026

Definition of talk

Noun

According to historian, author and lecturer Roger Smith, Florida's absence from most Revolutionary War lessons stems from one key fact.

— Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
Ida Fisher Junior High in Miami Beach held a mock Ford-Carter presidential election with a ballot box in its recess courtyard to teach its students civics lessons.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026

Definition of lesson

Noun

In a June 30 speech on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Republican lawmaker said he was hospitalized several months ago and diagnosed with depression.

— Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Steinbaugh argued the email was protected speech under the First Amendment and does not represent a legitimate threat.

— Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of speech

Browse Nearby Words

lectors

lecture

lectured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Lecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lecture. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of lecture

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on lecture

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

perfunctory

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes