1
as in linguistic
of or relating to words or language the child didn't yet have the verbal skills needed to tell the doctor about the pain he was experiencing

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2
as in oral
made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing a verbal agreement carries less force than a written contract

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of verbal The siblings butt heads and trade fists, though no one throws verbal barbs like Leo. 23. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2025 There has been verbal, financial and even weaponry against Russia. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025 Keith allegedly initially ignored verbal commands to exit the vehicle and police used bean bag rounds to subdue him, court records said. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025 The verbal notice came from HHS officials in a meeting with CDC leaders, according to a federal official who was at the meeting. Mike Stobbe, Chicago Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for verbal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for verbal
Adjective
  • But some of the messages she was judged and convicted for are definitely lost in linguistic and cultural translation.
    Seven Graham, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2025
  • By focusing on clinical meaning rather than just linguistic similarity, healthcare organizations can unlock the full potential of GenAI for accurate and reliable clinical decision-making.
    Michal Tzuchman Katz MD, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • What Happens Next The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case on March 4, when both sides will be allowed to present their cases and answer questions from the Supreme Court justices.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Advances in hormone therapy include the delivery of estrogen through a transdermal patch or gel, which appears to impart a lower risk of developing blood clots than oral delivery does.
    Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Perhaps a more communicative run-up on expectations or an approach that features more competitive offers to kick off the negotiations could go a long way to keeping the conversations more positive and less combative.
    Paul Dehner Jr., The Athletic, 13 Feb. 2025
  • Minimalist Style According to Orth, people with yellow auras are typically intellectual, creative, and communicative, with a sunny and optimistic disposition.
    Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • The rhetorical strategy was part of Macron’s effort to keep the unsteady peace talks moving forward.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025
  • Last spring, the Kremlin added a new rhetorical weapon to its regular barrages against President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine.
    Paul Sonne, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Verbal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/verbal. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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