Synonyms for discourse
- noun
- verb
Most common
speech lecture sermon oration disc horse norm preaching ratiocination
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Lecture — A formal lengthy exposition of some subject, either spoken or written
lecture, sermon, oration, speech, treatise, dissertation, harangue, study, theme, address, homily, disquisition, prelection UK, perlection US
2. Discussion — verbal exchange, conversation
discussion, conversation, debate, talk, language, colloquy, words, speaking, reason, gloss, confabulation
3. Communication — expression in words, either speech or writing
Other
Verb
1. Converse — to engage in discussion or conversation; to converse
converse formal, treat, confab informal, chat, parlay, jaw informal, confabulate, conversate, word dated, common dated
2. Discuss
3. Hold forth
Definitions
- n. 1
Verbal exchange, conversation.
- n. 2
Expression in words, either speech or writing.
- v. 1
To engage in discussion or conversation; to converse.
- v. 2
To write or speak formally and at length.
Related words
Forms
- Plural
- discourses → lectures, sermons, orations, speeches…
- Past participle
- discoursed
e.g. discoursed → conversed, tret, confabbed, chatted…
Choose the right word
Discourse is now applied chiefly to public addresses.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- speech I was able to grasp the main points of the speech.
- lecture I ought to have attended the lecture but I didn't.
- sermon The vicar often refers to the Bible in his sermon.
- oration His great oration was like pearls before swine.
- norm I want adventures that are different from the norm.
By length
- 3 letters
- jaw1
- 4 letters
- talk1, word1, chat1, norm1
- 5 letters
- study2, words1, speak1, treat1, theme1, gloss1
- 6 letters
- reason2, common2, speech1, handle2, debate2, sermon2, homily3, parlay2, confab
- 7 letters
- address2, discuss2, lecture2, chatter2, oration3, descant
- 8 letters
- language2, speaking2, converse2, treatise2, harangue2, colloquy3
- 9 letters
- treatment2, preaching2, expatiate
- 10 letters
- discussion3, expression3, conversate, prelection, perlection, dissertate
- 11 letters
- confabulate
- 12 letters
- conversation4, dissertation4, disquisition
- 13 letters
- communication5, confabulation5, ratiocination
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (study2 = 2 syllables).