pep talk

noun

: a usually brief, intense, and emotional talk designed to influence or encourage an audience

Examples of pep talk in a Sentence

The coach gave the team a pep talk before the game. She needs a pep talk.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Under the Libra full moon, make this adage your internal pep talk! — Usa Today, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025 Does Devine have Denzel Washington fly in for a pep talk? — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 31 Mar. 2025 Mbappe could be seen giving several of his team-mates one-on-one pep talks during the pre-match warm-up. — Tom Williams, The Athletic, 25 Mar. 2025 And give them pep talks before clutch moments like launching a new design project, initiating a production change, starting up a new collaboration, opening a new customer, or kicking off a new program or project or important event. — George Bradt, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pep talk

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pep talk was in 1913

Rhymes for pep talk

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Browse Nearby Words

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pep talk
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Cite this Entry

“Pep talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pep%20talk. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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