as in conversation
talking or a talk between two or more people
Thomas Jefferson is said to have been able to participate in knowledgeable discourse on a breathtaking array of subjects
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in to lecture
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to speak
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech
grandly discoursed as though he were an expert on every subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discourse
Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
During a recent editorial meeting, conversation turned to a pair of The Row flip-flops at the center of this week’s fashion discourse.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Noun
Third, Vanderbilt focused on encouraging civil discourse.
—Stephen Humphries, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2025
During a recent editorial meeting, conversation turned to a pair of The Row flip-flops at the center of this week’s fashion discourse.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
One man's laundry hack sparks discourse over detergent measuring cup
Symantec: Group operating ransomware identified as Spearwing
A March 6 blog post by Symantec, a brand of enterprise security software, says a group called Spearwing is operating the ransomware.
—Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for discourse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discourse
Noun
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Listen to this article 1 min The Los Angeles Kings hosted the Edmonton Oilers Monday for a first-round Stanley Cup playoff game, and a pregame performance became a topic of conversation.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The pair are on opposite ends of the global conversation about gender and trans rights: Pascal, the brother of trans actress Lux, is a pro-trans advocate while Rowling has long espoused anti-trans views.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Conor Heffernan, who lectures on the history of sports and fitness at Ulster University, in Ireland, said the current vogue for biohacking, and its protein boosterism, reeks of snake oil.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Her quotidian life was lecturing at a college in Aberdeen, close to where she was born, and the travel and mountaineering a teacher’s schedule enables.—
Sadie Stein,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Verb
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This time, Mary looked famine-struck and spoke mostly in pained moans.—
Sarah Stillman,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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Jeff Peterson took his place on the dais inside Spectrum Center, quickly settling in before speaking publicly for the first time since September.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The LinkedIn algorithm rewards users who actively participate in discussions across the platform.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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But, after a discussion with Barman, she was hooked on the concept.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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And the volunteer who can’t write a check but has spent every weekend knocking on doors and talking to neighbors about this campaign’s promise of a better future for Fort Worth.—
Harrison Mantas,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
20 Apr. 2025
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Across the street stood about a dozen police officers talking among themselves because there was no activity requiring their intervention.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The lack of respect from China was clear starting in March 2021, when the senior Chinese foreign policy official Yang Jiechi harangued U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at a meeting in Anchorage about promoting U.S. democracy.—
A. Wess Mitchell,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
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Several of those town halls – including in deeply Republican districts – went viral as residents harangued lawmakers over the cuts.—
Riley Beggin,
USA TODAY,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Liv Hewson ended up wearing the pink converse sneakers.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Apr. 2025
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The chatbot converses with patients while simultaneously reviewing their medical records, then generates a ranked list of diagnoses and makes recommendations, such as for prescription drugs or lab tests.—
Amy Feldman,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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How the two sides got here A nuclear deal was reached in 2015 between Iran and world powers, including the US, under which Iran had agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions that have crippled its economy.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2025
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While in Spain, Belly and Conrad exchange handwritten letters, which help to re-establish their relationship.—
Alexandra Hurtado,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discourse. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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