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"
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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
-
The Hornets are officially in planning and evaluation mode now.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
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The White Sox were already in defensive mode after another awful start to the season.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Only a few of the artists attempt to perform the songs in the uniquely laidback manner in which Velvet originally did them.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
12 Apr. 2025
-
The fight essentially played out in that manner.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His play style requires highly technical players, a standard that is not widely characteristic of MLS.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Veja Campo Leather Sneaker If leather sneakers are more your style, consider snagging this pair from Veja — a popular brand among stars like Kate Middleton, Witherspoon, and Johansson.—
Averi Baudler,
People.com,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast, reformist newspapers struck a more optimistic tone.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
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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
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The 34-year-old hasn’t played since March, after sustaining deep vein thrombosis (blood clot) in his right calf.—
Homero De la Fuente,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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The singer then premiered the title track, a homage to the roots of 1980s Americana and gritty heartland rock in the vein of Bruce Springsteen instead of the pop music of his debut.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
People.com,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Locution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/locution. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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