1
a
: of, relating to, or consisting of words
verbal instructions
b
: of, relating to, or involving words rather than meaning or substance
a consistency that is merely verbal and scholastic—
B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
c
: consisting of or using words only and not involving action
verbal abuse
2
: of, relating to, or formed from a verb
a verbal adjective
3
: spoken rather than written
a verbal contract
4
: verbatim, word-for-word
a verbal translation
5
: of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words
verbal aptitude
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective compare gerund, infinitive, participle
Synonyms
Examples of verbal in a Sentence
Adjective
He scored well on the verbal section of the test.
They had a verbal exchange.
a verbal agreement to finish the work
We gave only verbal instructions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
East Haven Public Safety Dispatch alerted officers that the caller reported being threatened by a man who allegedly pointed a rifle at him from a condominium window during a verbal altercation, according to Murgo.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2025
East Chicago Police said a Saturday shooting ruled as a homicide by the Lake County Coroner’s Office was likely the result of self-defense, as a son shot his father to protect his mother during a physical and verbal altercation.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
The two drivers pulled into a parking lot, where a verbal confrontation took place.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verbal 
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Adjective
For leaders aiming to inspire trust and clarity, neuroscience offers practical insights into why these verbal tics matter and how to reduce them.
—Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
East Haven Public Safety Dispatch alerted officers that the caller reported being threatened by a man who allegedly pointed a rifle at him from a condominium window during a verbal altercation, according to Murgo.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2025
East Chicago Police said a Saturday shooting ruled as a homicide by the Lake County Coroner’s Office was likely the result of self-defense, as a son shot his father to protect his mother during a physical and verbal altercation.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
The two drivers pulled into a parking lot, where a verbal confrontation took place.
—Landon Mion, Fox News, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for verbal
Dictionary Entries Near verbal
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
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verbal
2 of 2 noun
: a word that combines characteristics of a verb with those of a noun or adjective
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