1
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech given the opportunity, many politicians will orate at considerable length on just about any subject

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2
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the respected anthropologist is expected to orate about her latest research findings before a packed auditorium

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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 orate Elegantly orating about universal vastness and human connection, the Chilean/French rapper’s delivery melds poetic prose with grace. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 21 Feb. 2025 Sheridan has an affinity for writing characters who have lots of big things to say about the world around them and their place in it; Yellowstone features hours of John Dutton solemnly orating on the subject of Montana, the ranching way of life, and the threat posed by outside interlopers. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 20 Dec. 2024 Is there a historical context where the struggle has been orated by other groups? J.m. Banks, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024 At the age of 3, little Malachi Lukes was orating at his school in the style of President Barack Obama. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 26 Feb. 2024 The most persuasive and engrossing moment of the play comes late, when Harry Nelson is orating for his son’s benefit on the history and necessity of humankind’s relationship with firearms. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2023 Perhaps a chatbot can even orate. David Crary, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2023 Marsha, Nate, and Jacob stand on the balcony as Cal begins to orate. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 31 Jan. 2022 The surest way to get yanked off the stage — any stage — is to clear one’s throat and begin to orate. Washington Post, 9 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
  • Something about Moss taking a moment to herself, and being captured doing so by paparazzi, clearly spoke to the Haim sisters.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Trump speaks to reporters about Russia, Iran and a third term President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday night from Air Force One, where he was asked about a third term, ceasefire negotiations with Russia and tariffs on Iran.
    Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 4 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
  • In his tableau-like compositions, with their classical-painterly lighting, his characters declaim, bringing a blunt candor to a refined and abstracted sensibility.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Dugin could declaim on their work for hours, and did.
    James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 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
Verb
  • And when extreme weather happens, discourse on those conspiracy theories tend to spike, Wagner told CNN.
    Ramishah Maruf, Brandon Miller, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025
  • This is utter nonsense, and discourse about practically any new game on the market has become so toxic that staying off the internet entirely is the only way avoid it.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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