as in conversation
talking or a talk between two or more people
Thomas Jefferson is said to have been able to participate in knowledgeable discourse on a breathtaking array of subjects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
grandly discoursed as though he were an expert on every subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 discourse
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
The decline of traditional media is not only reshaping political discourse but also underscoring how much harder it's become to raise children in the modern world.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025
Their story is just one egregious example of the dark side of family vlogging, a popular genre of influencing that often sparks discourse over the exploitation of children, no matter how innocent the content seems on its face.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
Nonetheless, this hire should simmer some of the sky-is-falling discourse.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2025
The decline of traditional media is not only reshaping political discourse but also underscoring how much harder it's become to raise children in the modern world.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
Their story is just one egregious example of the dark side of family vlogging, a popular genre of influencing that often sparks discourse over the exploitation of children, no matter how innocent the content seems on its face.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
-
No one’s drafting legal paperwork just yet, but all the comment sections, podcast clips, and late-night talks between friends around it suggest the conversation is shifting.—
Ruhama Wolle,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The show and its participants were even parodied on Saturday Night Live in January, with comedian Ego Nwodim playing Amuli, and other cast members mocking people’s poor conversation skills and unintelligent dating decisions.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Quilting group hosts lecture, workshop El Camino Quilt Guild meets at 9:30 a.m. April 8 at El Corazon Senior Center, 3302 Senior Center Drive.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Apr. 2025
-
But the club’s members didn’t lecture or advocate until 20 years after its 1876 founding.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The country’s first Black president, Barack Obama, spoke at the dedication.—
Christine Ledbetter,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Neither Obama or Harris have spoken much publicly since Election Day in 2024.—
Oren Oppenheim,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
During the discussions, hitting coaches Troy Snitker and Alex Cintrón encouraged Smith to get more into his legs and start his swing quicker, hoping the 22-year-old phenom could drive the baseball with more authority.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
-
In a new Good Hang podcast discussion with Abbott Elementary's Quinta Brunson, Poehler discussed developing Leslie as a character ahead of the show's 2009 pilot episode, right down to the strikingly blonde hair on her head and what that said about the character at the time.—
Joey Nolfi,
EW.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Worse yet, has Lutnick ever talked with a friend or relative in his or her 70s or 80s who depends on Social Security to cover basic bills?—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Ramsey talked to Jimmy Fallon about the upcoming season, trying their best to keep things under wraps.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Several of those town halls – including in deeply Republican districts – went viral as residents harangued lawmakers over the cuts.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Republican members of Congress are finding themselves so harangued about federal cuts during town halls that they've been advised to stop holding them.—
Susan Page,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The chatbot converses with patients while simultaneously reviewing their medical records, then generates a ranked list of diagnoses and makes recommendations, such as for prescription drugs or lab tests.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Composed of a custom 16-piece modular system that shifts daily, the space invites interaction—encouraging visitors to pause, sketch, converse, or reflect.—
Natalie Stoclet,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For a man who, by his own admission, struggles to find emotional balance, Pereira has gone a considerable way towards restoring a tactical one by sacrificing a little of the attacking freedom O’Neil created in exchange for more defensive control.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2025
-
But police allege that Sullivan was lying during that exchange.—
Peter D'Abrosca,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share