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
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There are also three drive modes – Touring, Sport and Track.—
James Morris,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
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The watch is powered by the Caliber 1210, which is an innovative electromechanical movement with a power reserve of 8-10 years in daily use and up to 18 years in standby mode.—
Sophie Furley,
Robb Report,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And so the manner of death — suicide or homicide — remained an open question.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
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Compelling subject matter only goes so far when presented in such a bland, familiar manner.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
This one comes in eight colors, is wind- and rain-resistant, and has a detachable faux fur collar around the hood for added warmth and style.—
Lauren Fischer,
People.com,
26 Jan. 2025
-
The 6-foot-6 wing does it with a unique style and uncanny body control.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Parton added a contrasting tone, wearing a white jacket with three-quarter length sleeves, sharp lapels, a plunging neckline and gold button accents on the cuffs and running down the front placket atop a bow detailing at the base of the piece.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
29 Jan. 2025
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That intro establishes a mildly mysterious tone for a piece about a familiar conundrum.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Real History and a Healthy Skepticism of the Hollywood Western Inspired American Primeval’s Approach Initially looking to take up a project in the vein of the 1972 Robert Redford film Jeremiah Johnson, Berg and an already onboard Newman reached out to The Revenant screenwriter Smith.—
Abbey White,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Jan. 2025
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The style was celebrated in the sports world, but, despite promising beginnings, the company never became a behemoth in the vein of Nike, which was founded around the same era.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near locution
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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