as in mode
a distinctive way of putting ideas into words
in the poet's somewhat affected locution, word order is often reversed and so we have "the sea serene"
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Recent Examples of locution
Confucius says—an old-fashioned locution, perhaps, but appropriate here—never to take interest in feats of strength.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
That archly strangled locution, the ceaseless scorn: the vendor’s voice nags at the former Dean Street boy.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
That mysterious locution and the lack of additional details raised the possibility that something more than the sniffles might be ailing the Boss.
—Stuart Munro, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Aug. 2023
In diplomatic memorandums, officials avoided the term military base; the preferred locution was joint communications facility.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 15 June 2022
With its mess of divergent voices, picture-poems, and eccentric locutions, the result is baffling, beautiful, and always fascinatingly Notley.
—David Wallace, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2020
President Lyndon Baines Johnson was a retro Texan by birth and locution.
—Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, 2 Oct. 2019
Consider common appeals to allyship and altruism; such locutions convey a sort of optional quality, a moralistic tone, and unreliable trendiness.
—Astra Taylor, The New Republic, 26 Aug. 2019
On this night, Dylan made every word count, and sang with a blues master’s locution.
—Greg Kot, chicagotribune.com, 31 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for locution
Noun
-
Adding those in will reveal a private lounge experience that is likely to make many reconsider their Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator or Chevrolet Suburban as their mode of transportation to award shows and beyond.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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When this mode isn’t engaged, the 3’s weight becomes more apparent.—
Trinity Francis,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The family of a woman who was strangled to death last year during a conjugal visit with her husband at a Northern California prison has called for reforms after a second woman was killed in a similar manner.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
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Economists say the size and manner in which the tariffs are being handled were detrimental to economic growth.—
Lucia Mutikani,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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This is about style preference and body type, not gender.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
-
The medium pile height offers a balance between style, comfort, and practicality.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That will mean a longer daily commute for their family, too, which may be stressful for Colin, who has Noonan syndrome, a disorder affecting growth, physical appearance, muscle tone and learning.—
Steven Walker,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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The Off-White x Nike Air Max 97 celebrates the 50th U.S. Open, featuring a stunning color gradient that transitions from soft blush pink tones to an electrifying purple.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes.com,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Plus, the Grizz have maybe the best name of any team here in guard Money Williams, a Bay Area kid (13.3 points per game, 56 3-pointers) with ice in his veins.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2025
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In addition to Daredevil: Born Again season 2, Marvel gave Bernthal the go-ahead to write and star in a standalone Punisher TV special in the vein of Werewolf by Night.—
Nick Romano,
EW.com,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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