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
  • Witnesses speak at Wednesday's hearing Wednesday's hearing was about whether Syed should be resentenced, something allowed by a 2021 state law that permits people convicted of crimes as juveniles to have their sentences reviewed.
    Chloe Atkins, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Historically speaking, inference was viewed as being less compute-intensive than training, which is why the competitive risks to Nvidia seemed more significant there.
    Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Tristan is doing a surprisingly good job at lecturing the Royal Army Veterinary Corps soldiers about taking care of mules and the like.
    Alice Burton, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2025
  • The hostages forum described Moses as an expert agronomist who lectured on agriculture and helped maintain the kibbutz’s community vegetable garden.
    ASSOCIATED PRESS, TIME, 22 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Dugin could declaim on their work for hours, and did.
    James Verini, The New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2025
  • Keeping performers’ voices in good condition for that long haul is the province of a tribe of vocal coaches in Hollywood and everywhere else people sing or declaim for their supper.
    Jonathan Margolis, airmail.news, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In photos obtained by Page Six, Affleck and Garner appeared to be in good spirits — laughing and talking — while at a paintball park in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 2.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
  • You’re not supposed to engage in any activity that involves noise, including talking to others.
    Essence, Essence, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Johnny and Aaron Matthews spent years haranguing the county just to finally get a redacted copy of their sister’s death certificate in 2018.
    Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival in May and taking home the coveted Jury Prize and a joint Best Actress prize for its female ensemble (the three aforementioned performers plus Adriana Paz), discourse around Emilia Pérez lit up like a New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
    Lucy Ford, TIME, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But as posting about kids has grown into a legitimate industry online, so has discourse about the ethics of turning children into their families’ breadwinners.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Orate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orate. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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