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
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
Jessica Sager, People.com, 10 May 2025
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged lawyers Thursday to defend the judiciary amid verbal attacks from the Trump administration due to recent rulings.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 May 2025
Mason Garrett, 22, was charged with terroristic threats and acts after making verbal threats to shoot students and staff at Warren County High School, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
These verbal resets allow for productive recovery without losing ground on the content at hand.
—Stephen Miles, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
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Adjective
He was released with a verbal warning on both occasions.
—Jessica Sager, People.com, 10 May 2025
Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged lawyers Thursday to defend the judiciary amid verbal attacks from the Trump administration due to recent rulings.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 May 2025
Mason Garrett, 22, was charged with terroristic threats and acts after making verbal threats to shoot students and staff at Warren County High School, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
—Tanasia Kenney, Miami Herald, 9 May 2025
These verbal resets allow for productive recovery without losing ground on the content at hand.
—Stephen Miles, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for verbal
Cite this Entry
“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/verbal. Accessed 20 May. 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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