declaim
verb
de·claim di-ˈklām 
dē-
declaimed; declaiming; declaims
intransitive verb
1
: to speak rhetorically
speakers declaimed on a variety of issues
specifically : to recite something as an exercise in elocution
2
: to speak pompously or bombastically : harangue
In presence of this historical fact it is foolish to declaim about natural rights …
V. L. Parrington
V. L. Parringtontransitive verb
: to deliver rhetorically
an actor declaiming his lines
"I am a German citizen," she declaimed as if she had been practicing these lines … André A. Aciman
André A. Aciman specifically : to recite in elocution
… all these people declaiming selections from Shakespeare. Ellen Glasgow
Ellen Glasgow declaimer noun
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When Should You Use declaim?
Declaiming suggests an unnatural style of speech best suited to a stage or podium. Listening to an actor declaim a passage in a Shakespeare play can be enjoyable. Listening to Aunt Ida at Sunday dinner declaiming on the virtues of roughage might not be. Most people don't appreciate being treated as an audience, and good advice is usually more welcome when it's not given in a declamatory style.
Synonyms
- descant
- discourse
- expatiate
- harangue
- lecture
- orate
- speak
- talk
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The actress declaimed her lines with passion. The speakers declaimed on a variety of issues.
Recent Examples on the Web Anyone can declaim the glories of waterfalls or snowy mountain peaks, but who dares speak for the swamp? Sam Sacks, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2021 For the next 80 minutes on this balmy Thursday evening in late May, the actors would sing and declaim while pacing across a green swath of lawn just outside their cafeteria. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2021 Dumont also evokes classical theater oratory but transposes minimalist stagecraft to cinematic realism: His characters declaim on hilly exteriors, in windblown nature and literally beneath the heavens. Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2020 The contrast is striking with state television documentaries featuring bossy, relentless narrators declaiming upbeat slogans. The Economist, 8 Apr. 2020 The legendary politician was declaiming, a hand reaching out to snatch at the air. oregonlive, 22 Apr. 2020 The design team — especially Jason Sherwood (sets) and Linda Cho (costumes) — gives us haunting underwater vignettes involving a giant turtle and declaiming clams. Jesse Green, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2020 Here is Brooks, declaiming about what followed the failure of U.S. campaign finance reform. Richard Lipez, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2019 In the opening Chorale, a sinewy viola and then a keening clarinet declaimed as if from a pulpit, while spacious chords rang out from the other four players. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2019 See More
Sam Sacks, WSJ, 17 Nov. 2021 For the next 80 minutes on this balmy Thursday evening in late May, the actors would sing and declaim while pacing across a green swath of lawn just outside their cafeteria. Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2021 Dumont also evokes classical theater oratory but transposes minimalist stagecraft to cinematic realism: His characters declaim on hilly exteriors, in windblown nature and literally beneath the heavens. Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2020 The contrast is striking with state television documentaries featuring bossy, relentless narrators declaiming upbeat slogans. The Economist, 8 Apr. 2020 The legendary politician was declaiming, a hand reaching out to snatch at the air. oregonlive, 22 Apr. 2020 The design team — especially Jason Sherwood (sets) and Linda Cho (costumes) — gives us haunting underwater vignettes involving a giant turtle and declaiming clams. Jesse Green, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2020 Here is Brooks, declaiming about what followed the failure of U.S. campaign finance reform. Richard Lipez, Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2019 In the opening Chorale, a sinewy viola and then a keening clarinet declaimed as if from a pulpit, while spacious chords rang out from the other four players. BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English declamen, from Latin declamare, from de- + clamare to cry out; akin to Latin calare to call — more at low entry 3
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
declaiming
verb
1
as in speaking
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject over the last two centuries some of the most illustrious personages of their times have declaimed in the town's historic lyceum Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- speaking
- lecturing
- talking
- orating
- discoursing
- expatiating
- descanting
- haranguing
- soliloquizing
- holding forth
- pontificating
- expounding
- reciting
- sermonizing
- mouthing
- taking the floor
- spouting
- disserting
- filibustering
2
as in orating
to talk as if giving an important and formal speech he declaimed at some length about the nation's obligation to spread democratic values around the world Synonyms & Similar Words
- orating
- discoursing
- speaking
- haranguing
- talking
- ranting
- preaching
- proclaiming
- announcing
- lecturing
- raving
- sermonizing
- perorating
- pronouncing
- mouthing (off)
- declaring
- bloviating
- speechifying
- advertising
- broadcasting
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