orate

verb

ȯ-ˈrāt How to pronounce orate (audio)
Definition of oratenext
1
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech given the opportunity, many politicians will orate at considerable length on just about any subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the respected anthropologist is expected to orate about her latest research findings before a packed auditorium

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 orate The Open Meeting Act prohibits directors from discussing (or orating) on matters not disclosed on the agenda, per Civil Code Section 4930(a). — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2025 The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025 Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace. — Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025 Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups? — J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024 At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama. — Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
  1. speak
  2. lecture
  3. declaim
  4. talk
  5. harangue
  6. discourse
Verb
  • Artificial intelligence needs as little as three seconds of you speaking to produce a convincing clone of your voice.
    — Muskaan Arshad, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Under Sorrells, morale at the office is bleak and has resulted in an exodus, according to two veteran prosecutors who left the office and spoke on the condition they not be identified.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of speak
Verb
  • At a time when everyone is asking where men fit in, this film doesn’t lecture.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Respondents in England and Australia were more likely to associate teaching with institutional, credentialed and paid professional roles, such as nursing, lecturing and social work.
    — Gustavo E. Fischman, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • Related Stories Cruise, declaiming every line, acting with blind bluster and a mean gleam of good-ol’-boy joy, makes Digger a walking cartoon — a larger-than-life satire of over-the-top American arrogance, like LBJ crossed with Foghorn Leghorn.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 2026
  • And the conversations between Anna and Molly, Ella and Julia (Ella’s friend and a counterpart of Molly), as well as the stammering and declaiming when Anna talks to herself, are almost always about men.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of declaim
Verb
  • Negating the new map On the trail, Jeffries and Garcia talked less about their relationship.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In the driveway, next to a yellow pizza box, Litberg could be seen talking and signing to his workers.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • No president has publicly harangued and harassed the Fed more to lower interest rates.
    — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Benatia got a three-month suspension for haranguing a fourth official.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 17 May 2026
Definition of harangue
Verb
  • While today’s cinema listings are crammed with sequels and remakes, with the watching experience couched in discourse and then discourse about the discourse, the best ’90s films were for the most part true originals.
    — Daisy Jones, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Florence is one of the many municipalities taking action in response to discourse around the heavy presence of Flock Safety’s license plate readers.
    — Gillian Stawiszynski, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of discourse

Browse Nearby Words

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orate
orated
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Cite this Entry

“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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