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"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 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
-
Tory Burch chose color-blocking as the preferred mode of expression and took commonplace pieces to new heights (a sequined swimsuit was the talk of the town after the label’s runway presentation).—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The garland features 20 LED lights with eight lighting modes to brighten your home in the evenings.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
The super app’s main value-add is orchestrating these services seamlessly, mediating payments and user data in a user-friendly manner.—
Zennon Kapron,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Use heat protectant Your hair is going to be subjected to so much more heat to create those smoother, lasting styles, so using a heat protectant is an absolute must.—
Lisa DeSantis,
Glamour,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Beyond fashion deals, the shop’s charm is the cross-generational style advice dispensed by both women.—
Amy Tara Koch,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast, reformist newspapers struck a more optimistic tone.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
In emerging markets—where regulation is still catching up to innovation—proactive disclosure sets a new tone. 2.—
Natalie Dolphin,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The Associated Press reported that the hollow-point bullet damaged Selena's right shoulder, lung veins and a major artery in her collarbone.—
Jacqueline Weiss,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
The team say that S. charybdis should be categorized in a separate family, however, because the ancient wasps have a pattern of veins in their hind wings that is unique.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share