1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
over the last two centuries some of the most illustrious personages of their times have declaimed in the town's historic lyceum
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to harangue
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
he declaimed at some length about the nation's obligation to spread democratic values around the world
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of declaim
He’s left a distinctive stamp on the orchestra’s sound in the years since, whether declaiming the beginning of Mahler 5 with a preacher’s conviction or, as in a recent Ravinia concert, tossing off a ragtime solo with waggish virtuosity.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2024
His campaign said in March that the policy would apply only to mandatory coronavirus vaccinations, but Trump has repeatedly declaimed against vaccine mandates without mentioning covid.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 24 June 2024
Park made a stunning impression in both spirituals and symphony, singing in a resonant and warm bass voice — and declaiming clearly without clipping — in both German and English.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
By contrast, Lloyd Webber had no ear for drama; his characters simply declaimed their emotions directly into the audience, as if by T-shirt cannon.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for declaim 
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2024
His campaign said in March that the policy would apply only to mandatory coronavirus vaccinations, but Trump has repeatedly declaimed against vaccine mandates without mentioning covid.
—Ramesh Ponnuru, Washington Post, 24 June 2024
Park made a stunning impression in both spirituals and symphony, singing in a resonant and warm bass voice — and declaiming clearly without clipping — in both German and English.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 Aug. 2023
By contrast, Lloyd Webber had no ear for drama; his characters simply declaimed their emotions directly into the audience, as if by T-shirt cannon.
—Vulture, 28 Mar. 2023
See all Example Sentences for declaim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declaim
Verb
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Some residents had previously spoken at a December hearing on the project when the Council voted to postpone a decision to better understand the project.—
Alexandra Hardle,
The Arizona Republic,
16 Feb. 2025
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Francis again criticizes President Donald Trump's immigration policies in open letter Video of the pope's meeting with Fico showed Francis sitting at a desk in his Vatican residence, smiling, and speaking in a soft tone.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA TODAY,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Without him, UConn is 4-3, nearly every game down to the wire, as teams are able to harangue leading scorer Alex Karaban, who was 1-for-14 against DePaul, making his mark with eight assists and six rebounds, playing all 40 minutes.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Jan. 2025
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That’s because Kennedy has harangued and harassed this community for years, pushing baseless conspiracy theories, dangerous lies, and degrading rhetoric onto anyone who will listen.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Schachner playfully lectures Smooth for pulling the blue bandanna off his Team Fluff teammate, Alice.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
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The long-standing lament that Latin American conservatives, centrists, and leftists share is that whereas the United States comes to the region to punish and lecture, China comes to trade.—
Will Freeman,
The Atlantic,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Sheridan has an affinity for writing characters who have lots of big things to say about the world around them and their place in it; Yellowstone features hours of John Dutton solemnly orating on the subject of Montana, the ranching way of life, and the threat posed by outside interlopers.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
20 Dec. 2024
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Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups?—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2024
Verb
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Within days, Trump was talking to reporters aboard Air Force One about taking control of the island.—
Adam Price,
The Atlantic,
7 Feb. 2025
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Some local speaker will talk on the beauties of Hutchinson as a place to live, a place to trade and a place to visit.—
Kay Johnson,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May and taking home the coveted Jury Prize and a joint Best Actress prize for its female ensemble (the three aforementioned performers plus Adriana Paz), discourse around Emilia Pérez lit up like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display.—
Lucy Ford,
TIME,
24 Jan. 2025
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But as posting about kids has grown into a legitimate industry online, so has discourse about the ethics of turning children into their families’ breadwinners.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
16 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near declaim
Cite this Entry
“Declaim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declaim. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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