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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of orate
The latter went on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert and orated about his marathon oration sesh last week in Congress.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for orate
Verb
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Their stories—rooted in resilience, strategy, faith, and fire—speak directly to Black women and girls watching, learning, and preparing to take their place in the lineage of excellence.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
10 July 2025
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The Athletic spoke to several Canadian sports fans, some of them Bills season-ticket holders, who declined to be interviewed over fears their comments could be used against them at the border.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Lincoln Mitchell, a political strategy and campaign specialist who lectures at Columbia University, to understand what Mamdani’s primary win might indicate about the direction of national politics.—
Lincoln Mitchell,
The Conversation,
27 June 2025
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DuVernay presents the inhumanity of the situation without lecturing the audience or patronizing the subjects, instead providing an honest portrait of the fear, hope, and lost time that the Central Park Five experienced as the result of a profoundly broken justice system.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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Yours to treasure: to recite under your breath, to whisper in someone’s ear, to declaim at a party.—
A.O. Scott,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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Does Joyce’s fellow drama kid Alan (Eric Wiegand) hoist a skull aloft and declaim some Shakespeare in a bad English accent?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Not talking an exceptionally high level; not the top-shelf stuff.—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
14 July 2025
-
General manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers talks with media during a press conference at Staples Center on August 10, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
Verb
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On the other hand, Powell’s assertions have not sat well with Trump, who has continued to harangue him to lower interest rates.—
Rob Wile,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
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Coaches, who represent their schools, are strongly encouraged to work with officials rather than harangue them.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
21 May 2025
Verb
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During the broadcast Hudson interrupted a question about their relationship, leading to backlash and discourse over her role in the coach’s professional life.—
Glamour,
Glamour,
12 May 2025
-
Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo River otters usually live up to 12.9 years in captivity, according to Oregon Zoo.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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