1
as in speech
the art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively
a presidential hopeful with a gift for oratory and a highly charismatic personality
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2
as in rhetoric
language that is impressive-sounding but not meaningful or sincere
the politician's oratory sounded good only to people who didn't bother to think
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oratory
Revisiting ancient Greek oratory and today’s communication courses, speaking has obviously been prioritized over listening.
—
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
He was not limited to a single playing field either in sports (baseball, basketball, and football) or the arts (acting, oratory, and singing).
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
Obama made his name with soaring oratory about a collective opportunity to fulfill America’s promise and a memoir that was deeply introspective about his role in that fight.
—Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
He was not limited to a single playing field either in sports (baseball, basketball, and football) or the arts (acting, oratory, and singing).
—Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Oct. 2024
Obama made his name with soaring oratory about a collective opportunity to fulfill America’s promise and a memoir that was deeply introspective about his role in that fight.
—Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024
Then with some of the most stirring words in American oratory, Kennedy told the students — and all of us — that individual courage can be a powerful force for good.
—John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oratory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratory
Noun
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Trump hasn't shied away from bashing Biden in speeches, online posts and executive orders, and the White House hasn't backed down in the face of the former president's criticisms.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
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That consolidation also meant moving up Mon Mothma’s big senate speech, which was originally slated for episode 10.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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Opponents argue the laws sanction discrimination and the exclusion of a vulnerable minority group and that rhetoric produced in these debates can stigmatize the transgender community.—
Sam Gringlas,
NPR,
10 May 2025
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But despite hope for mediation, rhetoric turned personal Friday when NJ Transit President Kris Kollouri took a swipe at Haas’ memory.—
Evan Simko-Bednarski,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The recordings also capture Bell’s family background in elocution (his father, grandfather, and brother all taught the subject).—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Apr. 2018
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The Bartlet staff’s righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem — to the cynical — sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb.—
Lizzie Logan,
Vulture,
23 Sep. 2024
Noun
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And iPhone 15 Pro Max In The U.S. — At Lower Price Who should consider this role Those who excel at explaining complex concepts, enjoy public speaking, and have deep business, technology or healthcare knowledge.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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The tech-savvy students then spend their afternoons working on non-academic critical life skills like public speaking, financial literacy or even how to ride a bike.—
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratory. Accessed 15 May. 2025.
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