as in talking
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as in communication
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words
finally spoke her fears
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speaking
Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
This will be a recurring non-speaking role that pays $195 for 12 hours of work.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
Fourth, Gahan says, big creators do appearances, speaking engagements, or conferences, for which they are paid (though this seems to be the least common way for creators to make money).
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The director praised the major American distributor at length while speaking alongside producing partner Emilie Lesclaux at this year’s Projeto Paradiso National Talent Network Meeting, held in their hometown of Recife.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speaking
Adjective
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to take inventory of your home and see what's still working and what could use an update—both practically speaking, and in terms of aesthetics.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Dec. 2025
This will be a recurring non-speaking role that pays $195 for 12 hours of work.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
Atlatszo has also reported that Americans distributed across Orban’s network have been paid speaking fees, received compensation for attending conferences, and had their travel and lodging expenses taken care of to attend pro-government functions.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 8 Apr. 2026
Fourth, Gahan says, big creators do appearances, speaking engagements, or conferences, for which they are paid (though this seems to be the least common way for creators to make money).
—Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
Broadly speaking, the panel was addressed to the arts, not only the visual arts but also all forms of writing, including journalism.
—John McPhee, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
The director praised the major American distributor at length while speaking alongside producing partner Emilie Lesclaux at this year’s Projeto Paradiso National Talent Network Meeting, held in their hometown of Recife.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speaking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking
Noun
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League officials gave the players a talking-to in the morning and, to back it up, Krebs got tagged with a roughing minor on what seemed like routine pushing and shove after the whistle.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
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Great Salt Lake is an issue Utah leaders have been working to resuscitate for nearly a decade; Cox knew the talking points.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That’s why what this current Magic team is saying – and not saying – matters so much.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed those concerns in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press on Sunday, saying the suspect did not get very far.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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At Yale, where Garber began her career, Jacques Derrida was a frequent visitor, and Paul de Man might be found down the corridor solemnly lecturing on Nietzsche.—
Charlie Tyson,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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How do teachers carry on teaching, lecturing, checking homework and having students prepare for assessments, and how do students enjoy the pleasures that extracurricular activities bring?—
Jerald McNair,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This will set you both up for a healthier and more communicative relationship or will save you from spending time with someone whose values don’t align with yours.—
Eric Thomas,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2026
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The emerging field calls for more refined methods to determine whether fungal electrical signaling plays a functional, communicative role.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Womble sat silently, not uttering a word after entering his guilty plea.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
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So far, 1,500 Orange County voices have spoken without uttering a word.—
Mindy Schauer,
Oc Register,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Reading and interacting with students’ original thoughts in class helps teachers understand how students think and articulate.—
Asuka Koda,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2026
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That change may look like the ambitious and growing national people’s budgets movement, which brings together local residents and community groups to protest budget cuts on essential services, articulate budget priorities and democratize the budget process.—
Celina Su,
The Conversation,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Like Flores and Natal, Kaik found that the company, York Service & Towing, would only take cash, telling her that sometimes, people would pay with a credit card then cancel the card before payment went through.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
28 Apr. 2026
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Shortly after telling her to contact security, Alvarez arrived upstairs.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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That includes discussing the full range of available approaches—including where options like Myfembree may fit—within the context of your own symptoms, priorities and health history.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Flow Space,
1 May 2026
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Here is a look at Miami’s defensive roster after the NFL draft, discussing the potential roles of the newcomers added recently.—
Omar Kelly
May 1,
Miami Herald,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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