1
as in scolds
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in speaks
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lectures
Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
With me, my wife lectures me more than my children.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Assistive listening studies report that bypassing room acoustics and delivering audio directly can improve signal‑to‑noise ratios by 15–20 dB, making announcements comprehensible and lectures clearer [8].
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
Simon Maghakyan lectures on the 20th anniversary of the destruction of Djulfa in December 2025.
—Simon Maghakyan, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In her car, Jessica Gabriel’s Lady is an avid listener of DJ Revolution, a fictional radio DJ who lectures passionately about the struggles of modern-day life in Nigeria.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Hands-on activities ground new knowledge in ways that lectures and reading often cannot.
—Emma Marcucci, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2026
The same government that lectures Beijing about state capitalism and nonmarket behaviors now practices it at home.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
When not writing, May frequently lectures on the politics and policies of mass incarceration for university classes, academic conferences, and online events.
—Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
With me, my wife lectures me more than my children.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
The van’s speakers played a high-volume mashup of construction sounds, Jordan Peterson lectures, Marine Corps drills, and mumbling voices.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
Assistive listening studies report that bypassing room acoustics and delivering audio directly can improve signal‑to‑noise ratios by 15–20 dB, making announcements comprehensible and lectures clearer [8].
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Feb. 2026
Simon Maghakyan lectures on the 20th anniversary of the destruction of Djulfa in December 2025.
—Simon Maghakyan, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
In her car, Jessica Gabriel’s Lady is an avid listener of DJ Revolution, a fictional radio DJ who lectures passionately about the struggles of modern-day life in Nigeria.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026
Hands-on activities ground new knowledge in ways that lectures and reading often cannot.
—Emma Marcucci, The Conversation, 13 Jan. 2026
The same government that lectures Beijing about state capitalism and nonmarket behaviors now practices it at home.
—Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lectures
Verb
-
McMahon likes to remind scolds that wrestling is a morality play.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
This cross-partisan skit is refreshing and the only people who might hate it are Cuomo supporters and maybe some woke scolds.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The flags that typically stand behind the podium when the President speaks were hastily brought in.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
This speaks to communication that may hurt but ultimately heals.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even when the Lord’s name was left out, Stanley speeches sounded like sermons.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Late in his life, Dollison delivered sermons for Church of Christ congregations in Rector, Greenway and Jonesboro, as well as in the Missouri communities of Leachville and Campbell.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His supervisor appears as a ticket conductor and reprimands him for doing nothing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Below, Weisman talks with THR about the difficult conversations in the writers’ room about presenting the interracial friend group onscreen, considering an alternative killer and the message the series sends about the danger shame and secrets pose to women.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
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Ahead, Fields talks determination in pursuit of a dream, following your instincts and fostering relationships.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That preparation included lessons in calligraphy, horseback riding, piano and Regency dancing.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
There are lessons to be learned from the more niche running brands that are increasingly showing up at the smaller (but equally crowded) marathon weekends.—
Madeleine Schulz,
Vogue,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
OpenAI memo criticizes Anthropic watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.—
Ashley Capoot,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
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Schiavo raised a similar concern, noting that the National Transportation Safety Board regularly criticizes the Federal Aviation Administration and other regulators for not implementing obvious solutions, even after accidents occur.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Braves Hall of Famer and Snitker’s friend Terry Pendleton, former player Jeff Francoeur and Hall of Famer Chipper Jones gave speeches during the ceremony.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
That night, Fields and Nancy McKeon gave speeches in her honor.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lectures.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lectures. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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