as in rhetoric
marked by the use of impressive-sounding but mostly meaningless words and phrases
a speech that was an oratorical endorsement of the value of education but one that refused to call for greater spending on education
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Recent Examples of oratorical
To some of Mojtaba’s supporters, the lack of religious qualifications and oratorical skills may not matter.
—
Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
Yes, but: Some Democrats argue that the debate will be less of a referendum on oratorical skill and more of a clash of two different styles and worldviews.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
Trump’s general-election debates have not exactly been the stuff of oratorical legend.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 14 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oratorical
Akbar Ganji, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2025
Not merely because of his superior oratorical pizazz but also his remarkable style.
—Julian Randall, Essence, 4 Dec. 2024
Yes, but: Some Democrats argue that the debate will be less of a referendum on oratorical skill and more of a clash of two different styles and worldviews.
—Andrew Solender, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
Trump’s general-election debates have not exactly been the stuff of oratorical legend.
—Matthew Continetti, National Review, 14 Sep. 2024
See All Example Sentences for oratorical
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oratorical
rhetorical
Adjective
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Under the Biden administration, for instance, material and rhetorical support for LGBTQ groups abroad was a prominent element of American diplomacy.—
Ari Shaw,
Foreign Affairs,
17 July 2025
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These sections weren’t just rhetorical flourishes from Murasaki.—
Andrew Paul Jul 16,
Popular Science,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oratorical.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oratorical. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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