lecture 1 of 2

verb

Definition of lecturenext
1
as in to scold
to criticize (someone) severely or angrily especially for personal failings the frustrated manager lectured the waitstaff about its poor level of service

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject a physician who has lectured before countless audiences on the importance of diet and exercise in avoiding heart disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

lecture

2 of 2

noun

as in sermon

Related Words

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 lecture
Verb
He was internationally known as an expert on the work of William Faulkner, teaching and lecturing around the world on the Nobel Prize winner. — Rebecca McCarthy, AJC.com, 13 July 2026 The film begins with a montage of young Roma women, each shot as though for a studio portrait, impassively absorbing an offscreen voice lecturing them about family planning. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 July 2026
Noun
In the yellow notebook, Paul tells Ella about a lecture at the hospital, delivered by a male researcher who has concluded that female swans do not have orgasms. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Attend a lecture on vintage quilts or a workshop on using Instagram. — Lesly Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lecture
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lecture
  1. scold
  2. speak
  3. sermon
  4. reprimand
  5. talk
  6. lesson
  7. blame
  8. speech
Verb
  • The curious boys climbed onto the roof of their home for a better look, but climbed back down when scolded by their grandmother.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than scolding parents about screens, society could do more to support families in ways that obviate the need for screen time.
    — Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scold
Verb
  • Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce received another platelet-rich plasma injection in his left ankle, according to a source with knowledge of the matter who spoke anonymously Monday because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Low labor costs, a large French-speaking workforce and relatively weak unions have made Morocco an attractive outsourcing destination for international companies, particularly French firms seeking to reduce costs.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of speak
Noun
  • She was schooled in The African Methodist Pocket Hymn Book and the word-power of sermons.
    — Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In his sermon, Graham spoke directly to the shooting that took place.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of sermon
Verb
  • The audience awkwardly chuckles, and Scovel, eyes still closed, begins reprimanding them.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Rangel, who relinquished his position as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee amid the inquiry, was eventually censured, the first time a congressman had been thusly reprimanded in public in almost three decades.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of reprimand
Verb
  • The coalition has been canvassing the state, visiting churches, grocery stores and neighborhoods to talk to residents about the issue and gathering 3,500 signatures to present to lawmakers in hopes of inspiring legislative change.
    — Kaitlin McCallum, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The hearing, in Manhattan federal court, comes as his lawyers have been talking with federal prosecutors about a possible resolution to one of two criminal cases against Mangione in Thompson’s death.
    — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of talk
Noun
  • As Amziah demonstrates during this lesson, the queen is the center of the universe, and without her, the colony would collapse.
    — Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully, the lessons from that hasty dash towards the fringes of our towns and cities in the 1990s and early 2000s seem to have been learned.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of lesson
Verb
  • Craig has blamed Flanagan for a lack of oversight and accountability, allegations that Flanagan rejects.
    — Diana Paulsen, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders of the nonprofit hospital in Alabama’s capital blamed its collapse on financial pressures, including mounting debt, staffing shortages and Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid that would cover more of the state’s uninsured.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • There are also vacancies for bilingual support teachers, speech language pathologists, school psychologists, dyslexia specialists, inclusion teachers and bilingual support specialists.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Parkinson's disease can make walking, balance, speech and other physical tasks increasingly difficult, according to the Parkinson's Foundation.
    — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of speech

Browse Nearby Words

lectors
lecture
lectured
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Cite this Entry

“Lecture.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lecture. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lecture

Nglish: Translation of lecture for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lecture

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