speak in tongues

idiom

: to say strange words that no one can understand, especially as part of a religious experience

Examples of speak in tongues in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Like those who, by miracle or conviction, speak in tongues in front of a religious congregation to preserve the unspoken pact of a shared sense of comfort, there’s validation in getting scared together. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2022 His mother, Mamie, was a deeply religious woman who was known to speak in tongues during church services. Richard Cromelin, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2022 Sometimes Emma would speak in tongues, a practice encouraged by the Assemblies of God. Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2021

Dictionary Entries Near speak in tongues

Cite this Entry

“Speak in tongues.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speak%20in%20tongues. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!