talking 1 of 3

adjective

as in speaking

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talking

2 of 3

noun

as in communication

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talking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of talk
1
as in lecturing
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the fire chief often talks at school assemblies about fire safety

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2
as in chatting
to engage in casual or rambling conversation talked with our neighbor as we unloaded the groceries from the car

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3
as in saying
to express (a thought or emotion) in words you're talking nonsense: take a minute and think about what you are trying to say, and then start speaking

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4
as in informing
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities after being threatened, the eyewitness started talking at length about what he had seen in the alley

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5
as in gossiping
to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature you're a fine one to talk about your sister's marital problems when you have had plenty of your own

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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 talking
Noun
Socialists call themselves crazy and that’s a campaign talking point. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026 In fact, the pre-fall collections made a strong case for letting your shoes do all the talking. — Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 13 Aug. 2026 The earrings immediately became a talking point because their history is so recognizable. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 12 Aug. 2026 But once the ball went in the air, her team did the rest of the talking. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Maresca seems intent on letting his team’s football do the talking, but perhaps one day that will change. — Sam Lee, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026 The Grain Hauler Racing the Harvest Window For an ag hauler, the calendar does the talking. — Malana Vantyler, Ascend Agency, 11 Aug. 2026 Roberts wrote talking points, speeches, and op-eds arguing against such a change. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 His play was the primary talking point after the fantastic preseason contest, which ended in a 33-30 Panthers' win. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Aug. 2026
Verb
The boy wasn’t talking, unlike other toddlers his age who are typically using simple words and phrases. — Jackie Mader, Washington Post, 8 Aug. 2026 But Democratic primary voters aren’t talking to GOP strategists. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026 In fact, a vendor who tells you that requirement number four is unnecessary for your specific workload is talking themselves out of revenue. — Michael Leone, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 One of the employees engages with the gunman, talking with him and allowing others coming down the trail time to escape, according to the video. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026 So, yeah, a lot of talking to him about casting and where the script was going and all of that. — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026 The first episode finds Anna just talking to herself, aloud, a lot. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 Avila was in the clubhouse talking with teammates on Thursday. — Pj Green august 6, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026 Baptist Health notes pickleball is most effective for weight loss when combined with dietary changes, and recommends talking to your doctor before starting a new sport. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for talking
  1. speaking
  2. lecturing
  3. chatting
  4. saying
  5. informing
  6. gossiping
  7. communicative
  8. conversing
Adjective
  • Eun-sae, who has heard Tae-ha speaking Korean, speeds up on her motorbike to whisk Tae-ha away from danger.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The Guardian noted in an interview with Cox published on Monday, June 15 that the Emmy winner has lost 90% of her income, pointing to hosting contracts ending, less speaking engagements and a lack of opportunity in academia.
    — Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 15 June 2026
Definition of speaking
Verb
  • Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon criticized Spain for lecturing Israel on security while struggling to control its own border.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026
  • Fauci stepped down from his NIAID post at the end of 2022 and segued to a lecturing job at Georgetown.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Definition of lecturing
Verb
  • According to Schaffer, just as surreal as directing the former president was chatting with him during the downtime of the four-hour shoot.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Walk past locals chatting beside their motorbikes and enter the pedestrian Old Town through the Sea Gate beneath its Venetian lion.
    — Jonathan Wiggin, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatting
Verb
  • In a pretrial hearing, the judge overseeing the case ruled to allow the jury to hear his book and media interviews, saying the proffer agreement did not cover public statements.
    — Eric Levenson, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
  • After five officers in Georgia were charged with accessing Flock data for personal use, the company issued a statement saying the case proves their system works to hold law enforcement accountable.
    — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of saying
Verb
  • Much of the information employers consider originates outside the organization and may pass through several sources or intermediaries before informing an employment decision.
    — Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The findings from these types of exercises are important for informing where an organization could improve.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of informing
Verb
  • Hollywood is gossiping that her current paramour Scooter Braun looks like her past fiancé — Jonathan Davino.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The last time the men did a show together was July 26, gossiping about everyone from Ariana Grande to Giulana Rancic.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of gossiping
Adjective
  • Now, from membership in the Nazi Party to the facts behind family lineage or legends, communicative memory no longer has the final word.
    — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Steering is accurate without being particularly communicative, but that's perfectly appropriate for this car.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 July 2026
Definition of communicative
Verb
  • But there’s something else Sirianni realized in conversing with the chatbot.
    — Zach Berman, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • The series will feature Questlove and three guests playing a variety of games from Uno to Jenga to original Questlove creations, all while conversing about their lives and careers.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 2 July 2026
Definition of conversing

Phrases Containing talking

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talkiness
talking
talking a blue streak
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Cite this Entry

“Talking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/talking. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of talking for Spanish Speakers

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