Whom are you speaking of?
Source: tatoeba (15907)
Speaking
/ˈspi.kɪŋ/
Synonyms for "speaking" (147 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (30)
Strong matches (44)
Related words (73)
parolephonationplain spokenplain-speakingplain-spokenplatform oratoryprattlepublic speakingpyrotechnicsrabble rousingrabble-rousingrappingrealisticreplyresponserhetoricsequence of phonemessocial intercoursesoft spokensoft-speaking
Show 39 more words
soft-spokenspeechspeech actspeech circuitspeech situationspeechcraftspeechificationspeechingspeechmakingstringstump speakingtalktalkativetalkingtelepathythe spoken wordto the lifetonguetouchtraffictrucktrue to lifetrue to naturetrue-speakingtwo-way communicationutteranceutterance stringverbalizationveridicalvocablevocalizationvoicewell-spokenwordword of mouthwordcraftwordsyakkety-yakyakking
Noun(13 words)
Adjective(1 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: accent, accents, air, answer, articulate.
- Sentence evidence is available for speaking, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from derived_reverse, moby, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "speaking".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "speaking"
Keep "speaking" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "speaking" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "speaking", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "speaking" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
10 entriesaddresscommunicationcommunication skilloral communicationoral expressionoral presentationpublic speakingspeechutterancevocalization
More specific
17 entriesasking a questionassembly addressclass presentationclassroom speakingdebatinggiving feedbackguest lecturelecturingnarratingoral examoral presentationoral reportparticipating in discussionpresentingpublic speakingsharing opinions
Showing 16 of 17 words.
Collocations
9 entriespublic speakingspeaking aloudspeaking clearlyspeaking practicespeaking skillsspeaking taskspeaking testspeaking to othersspeaking up
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
7 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
2 entriesTranslations
10 translations across 5 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- гово́рещ adj (having the ability of speech)
Finnish
1 entries- puhuva adj (having the ability of speech)
German
4 entries- -sprachig adj (having the ability of speech)
- -sprechend adj (having the ability of speech)
- Rede- adj (having the ability of speech)
- Sprech- adj (having the ability of speech)
Hungarian
1 entries- beszélő adj (having the ability of speech)
Russian
1 entries- говоря́щий adj (having the ability of speech)
Sample sentences
22 total sentences available.
You will soon get used to speaking in public.
Source: tatoeba (15966)
A blonde is speaking to her psychiatrist.
Source: tatoeba (18494)
Speaking of Kyoto, have you ever visited the Kinkakuji Temple?
Source: tatoeba (19328)
Showing 4 of 22 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "speaking"?
Closest matches include accent, accents, air, answer, articulate.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "speaking"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.