#speech_act  the use of language to perform some act
  supertype:  human_action__humanaction__act__human_activity__humanactivity  something that people do or cause to happen
  subtype:  proposal.speech_act__proposition  the act of making a proposal; "they listened to her proposal"
     subtype:  presentation.proposal  the act of presenting a proposal
        subtype:  first_reading__firstreading  the first presentation of a bill in a legislature
        subtype:  second_reading  the second presentation of a bill in a legislature; to approve its general principles (Britain) or to discuss a committee's report and take a vote (US)
  subtype:  command__bid__bidding__dictation  an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
     subtype:  order  (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed; "the British ships dropped anchor and waited for orders from London"
        subtype:  word.order  a verbal command for action; "when I give the word, charge!"
        subtype:  summons  an order to appear in person at a given place and time
           subtype:  call_up  an order to report for military duty
     subtype:  commission__charge__direction  a formal statement of a command or injunction to do something; "the judge's charge to the jury"
        subtype:  misdirection  an incorrect charge to a jury given by a judge
     subtype:  commandment  something that is commanded
        subtype:  Decalogue__Ten_Commandments  the biblical commandments of Moses
     subtype:  injunction  a formal command or admonition
     subtype:  behest  an authoritative command or request
     subtype:  open_sesame.command__opensesame  a magical command; used by Ali Baba
  subtype:  agreement  the verbal act of agreeing
     subtype:  assent__acquiescence  agreement with a statement or proposal to do something; "he gave his assent eagerly"; "a murmur of acquiescence from the assembly"
        subtype:  acceptance.assent  (contract law) words signifying consent to the terms of an offer (thereby creating a contract)
        subtype:  conceding__concession__yielding  the act of conceding or yielding
           subtype:  bye__pass  you advance to the next round in a tournament without playing an opponent; "he had a bye in the first round"
     subtype:  compliance  happy friendly agreement
     subtype:  concurrence.agreement  agreement of results or opinions
     subtype:  accordance__accord__conformity  concurrence of opinion; "we are in accord with your proposal"
     subtype:  connivance__collusion  agreement on a secret plot
        subtype:  cahoots__cahoot  collusion; "in cahoots with"
     subtype:  assenting__accession  agreeing with; "assenting to the Congressional determination"
     subtype:  subscription  agreement expressed by (or as if expressed by) signing your name
     subtype:  ratification__confirmation  making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it; "the ratification of the treaty"; "confirmation of the appointment"
     subtype:  harmony.agreement__concord__concordance  agreement of opinions
     subtype:  second.agreement__secondment__endorsement__indorsement  a speech seconding a motion; "do I hear a second?"
     subtype:  concession  a point conceded or yielded; "they won all the concessions they asked for"
        subtype:  wage_concession  an agreement to raise wages
        subtype:  sop  a concession given to mollify or placate: "the offer was a sop to my feelings"
  subtype:  disagreement  the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing
     subtype:  showdown__confrontation__encounter  a hostile disagreement face-to-face
     subtype:  dissidence  disagreement; especially disagreement with the government
     subtype:  dissent  a difference of opinion
     subtype:  nonconformity.disagreement  lack of harmony or correspondence
     subtype:  dissension__discord  disagreement among those expected to cooperate
        subtype:  division.dissension__variance  discord that splits a group
     subtype:  dispute__difference__difference_of_opinion__conflict  a disagreement or argument about something important; "he had a dispute with his wife"; "there were irreconcilable differences"; "the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats"
        subtype:  controversy__contention__contestation__tilt__argument__arguing  a dispute where there is strong disagreement; "they were involved in a violent argument"
           subtype:  sparring.controversy  an argument in which the participants are trying to gain some advantage
           subtype:  polemic  a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
        subtype:  wrangle__quarrel__row__words__word__run-in__runin__dustup  an angry dispute; "they had a quarrel"; "they had words"
           subtype:  altercation__affray__fracas  noisy quarrel
              subtype:  batrachomyomachia  a silly altercation
           subtype:  bicker__bickering__spat__tiff__squabble__fuss  petty quarrel
           subtype:  bust-up  a serious quarrel (especially one that ends a friendship)
        subtype:  fight  an intense verbal dispute; "a violent fight over the bill is expected in the Senate"
  subtype:  offer.speech_act__offering  the verbal act of offering; "a generous offer of assistance"
  subtype:  asking__request  the verbal act of requesting
     subtype:  notification__notice  a request for payment; "the notification stated the grace period and the penalties for defaulting"
     subtype:  indirect_request__wish  an expression of some desire or inclination; "I could tell that it was his wish that the guests leave"; "his crying was an indirect request for attention"
     subtype:  invitation  a formal request to participate or be present
        subtype:  bidding__summons  a request to be present; "they came at his bidding"
        subtype:  invite  a colloquial expression for invitation; "he didn't get no invite to the party"
     subtype:  entreaty__prayer__appeal  earnest or urgent request; "an entreaty to stop the fighting"; "an appeal for help"; "an appeal to the public to keep calm"
        subtype:  adjuration  a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
        subtype:  demagoguery__demagogy  impassioned appeals to the prejudices and emotions of the populace
           subtype:  flag_waving__jingoism  an appeal intended to arouse patriotic emotions
        subtype:  supplication__plea  humble request for help
        subtype:  solicitation  an entreaty addressed to someone of superior status; "a solicitation to the king for relief"
           subtype:  beggary__begging__mendicancy  a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
           subtype:  touch.solicitation  the act of soliciting money (as a gift or loan); "he watched the beggar trying to make a touch"
           subtype:  importunity__urgency__urging  insistent solicitation and entreaty; "his importunity left me no alternative but to agree"
        subtype:  suit  a petition or appeal made to a person of superior status or rank
        subtype:  courtship__wooing__courting__suit  a man's courting of a woman; seeking the affections of a woman (usually with the hope of marriage); "its was a brief and intense courtship"
           subtype:  bundling.courtship  a one-time custom during courtship of unmarried couples occupying the same bed without undressing
     subtype:  petition.prayer__prayer__communion__orison  reverent petition to a deity
        subtype:  benediction__blessing  a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
           subtype:  benison  a spoken blessing
        subtype:  collect  a short prayer generally preceding the lesson in the Church of Rome or the Church of England
        subtype:  commination  prayers proclaiming God's anger against sinners; read in the Church of England on Ash Wednesday
        subtype:  thanksgiving__grace__blessing  a short prayer of thanks before a meal
        subtype:  intercession  a prayer to God on behalf of another person
        subtype:  invocation.petition__supplication  a prayer asking God's help as part of a religious service
           subtype:  rogation  a solemn supplication ceremony prescribed by the church
        subtype:  requiescat  a prayer for the repose of the soul of a dead person
     subtype:  call.asking  a request; "many calls for Christmas stories"; "not many calls for buggywhips"
     subtype:  billing__charge  request for payment of a debt; "they submitted their charges at the end of each month"
        subtype:  presentment  a document that must be accepted and paid by another person
     subtype:  trick_or_treat  a request by children on Halloween; they pass from door to door asking for goodies and threatening to play tricks on those who refuse
     subtype:  questioning__inquiring  a request for information
        subtype:  challenge.questioning  questioning a statement and demanding an explanation; "he challenged the assumption that Japan is our enemy"
        subtype:  query__question__inquiry__enquiry  an instance of questioning; "there was a question about my training"; "we made inquiries of all those who were present"
        subtype:  interrogation__examination  formal systematic questioning
           subtype:  catechism  a series of question put to an individual (such as a political candidate) to elicit their views
           subtype:  deposition  (law) a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually done in a lawyer's office
           subtype:  inquisition  a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)
           subtype:  third_degree__thirddegree  interrogation often accompanied by torture to extort information or a confession
           subtype:  cross-examination__crossexamination  (law) close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
           subtype:  direct_examination  (law) the initial questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness
           subtype:  redirect_examination  (law) questioning of a witness by the party that called the witness after that witness has been subject to cross-examination
           subtype:  interview  the questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists; "my interviews with teen-agers revealed a weakening of religious bonds"
              subtype:  job_interview__jobinterview__employment_interview  an interview to determine whether an applicant is suitable for a position of employment
              subtype:  telephone_interview__telephoneinterview  an interview conducted over the telephone
           subtype:  debriefing  report of a mission or task
     subtype:  order.asking  a request for food or refreshment (as served in a restaurant or bar etc.); "I gave the waiter my order"
        subtype:  short_order__shortorder  an order for food that can be prepared quickly
  subtype:  reply__response  the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange; "he growled his reply"
     subtype:  counterblast  a vigorous and unrestrained response; "her tirade provoked a counterblast from her husband"
     subtype:  non_sequitur__nonsequitur  a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
     subtype:  riposte__retort__return__comeback  a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one); "it brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher"
        subtype:  sass__sassing__backtalk__back_talk__lip__mouth  an impudent or insolent rejoinder; "don't give me any of your sass"
     subtype:  echo  a reply that repeats what has just been said
     subtype:  answer  the speech act of replying to a question
        subtype:  Urim_and_Thummin  lots thrown to determine God's answers to yes-no questions
        subtype:  refutation__defense  the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions; "his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in defense he said the other man started it"
           subtype:  rebuttal  the act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
  subtype:  description  a act of describing something
     subtype:  label  a brief description given for purposes of identification; "the label Modern is applied to many different kinds of architecture"
     subtype:  particularization__particularisation__detailing  an individualized description of a particular instance
     subtype:  sketch__vignette  a brief literary description
  subtype:  assertion__affirmation__statement  the act of affirming or asserting or stating something
     subtype:  say-so__sayso  one chap's arbitrary assertion
  subtype:  denial  the act of refusing a request; "it resulted in a complete denial of his privileges"
     subtype:  naysaying  the act of saying no to a request
     subtype:  negative  a reply of denial; "he answered in the negative"
        subtype:  no  a negative; "his no was loud and clear"
        subtype:  nay  a negative; "the nays have it"
        subtype:  double_negative  a grammatically substandard but emphatic negative; "I don't never go"
     subtype:  refusal  the act of refusing
        subtype:  prohibition  refusal to approve or assent to
           subtype:  interdiction  authoritative prohibition
           subtype:  banning__ban__forbiddance__forbidding  an official prohibition or edict against something
              subtype:  test_ban  a ban on the testing of nuclear weapons that is mutually agreed to by countries that possess nuclear weapons
     subtype:  disavowal  denial of any connection with or knowledge of
        subtype:  abjuration__retraction__recantation  a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion
           subtype:  backdown__withdrawal__climb-down__climbdown  a retraction of a previously held position
  subtype:  rejection.speech_act  the speech act of rejecting
     subtype:  repudiation__renunciation  rejecting as invalid
        subtype:  disclaimer  (law) a voluntary repudiation of a person's legal claim to something
        subtype:  disownment__disowning  refusal to acknowledge as one's own
     subtype:  rebuff__snub__repulse  an instance of driving away or warding off
     subtype:  summary_treatment__summarytreatment__short_shrift__shortshrift  a brief and unsympathetic rejection; "they made short shrift of my request"
  subtype:  objection  the speech act of objecting
     subtype:  challenge.objection  a formal objection to the selection of a particular person as a juror
     subtype:  complaint  an expression of grievance or resentment
        subtype:  grievance  a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action
        subtype:  grumble__grumbling__murmur__murmuring__mutter__muttering  a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
        subtype:  jeremiad  a long and mournful complaint; "a jeremiad against any form of government"
        subtype:  pet_peeve__petpeeve  an opportunity for complaint that is seldom missed; "grammatical mistakes are his pet peeve"
        subtype:  whimper__whine  a complaint uttered in a plaintive whining way
     subtype:  demur__demurrer  (law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
     subtype:  dissent.objection  (law) the difference of one judge's opinion from that of the majority; "he expressed his dissent in a contrary opinion"
     subtype:  exception  grounds for adverse criticism; "his authority is beyond exception"
     subtype:  gripe__kick__beef__bitch__squawk  informal terms for objecting; "I have a gripe about the service here"
     subtype:  protest.objection__protestation  a formal and solemn declaration of objection; "they finished the game under protest to the league president"; "the senator rose to register his protest"; "the many protestations did not stay the execution"
     subtype:  protest  the act of making a strong public expression of disagreement and disapproval; "he shouted his protests at the umpire"; "a shower of protest was heard from the rear of the hall"
  subtype:  making_known__informing  a speech act that conveys information
     subtype:  apprisal__telling__notification  informing by words
        subtype:  notice  advance notification (usually written) of the intention to withdraw from an arrangement or contract; "we received a notice to vacate the premises"; "he gave notice two months before he moved"
           subtype:  pink_slip__pinkslip__dismissal__dismission  official notice that you have been fired from your job
     subtype:  disclosure__revelation__revealing  making something evident
        subtype:  tattle__singing__telling  disclosing information or giving evidence about another
        subtype:  display  behavior that makes your feelings public; "a display of emotion"
           subtype:  histrionics__histrionic  a deliberate display of emotion for effect
           subtype:  sackcloth_and_ashes__sackclothandashe  a display of extreme remorse or repentance or grief
        subtype:  divulgence__divulgement  the act of divulging something
        subtype:  discovery  something that is discovered
        subtype:  discovery.disclosure  (law) compulsory pretrial disclosure of documents relevant to a case; enables one side in a litigation to elicit information from the other side concerning the facts in the case
        subtype:  giveaway  an unintentional disclosure
        subtype:  informing__ratting  to furnish incriminating evidence to an officer of the law (usually in return for favors)
        subtype:  leak  unauthorized (especially deliberate) disclosure of confidential information
        subtype:  exposure.disclosure  the disclosure of something secret; "they feared exposure of their campaign plans"
           subtype:  expose__unmasking  the exposure of an impostor or a fraud; "he published an expose of the graft and corruption in city government"
           subtype:  muckraking  the exposure of scandal (especially about public figures)
     subtype:  presentation.making_known__introduction__intro  formally making a person known to another or to the public
        subtype:  reintroduction  an act of renewed introduction
     subtype:  briefing  detailed instructions, as for a military operation
     subtype:  verbal_account__report__account  the act of informing by verbal report; "he heard reports that they were causing trouble"; "by all accounts they were a happy couple"
        subtype:  summary__summarization__summarisation  brief account that presents the main points in a concise form
           subtype:  literary_argument__argument  a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie; "the editor added the argument to the poem"
           subtype:  compendium  a concise but comprehensive summary of a larger work
           subtype:  abridgement__condensation__abridgment__capsule  a shortened version of a written work
           subtype:  conspectus  an overall summary
           subtype:  curriculum_vitae__CV__resume  a summary of your academic and work history
           subtype:  line_score  a summary of the scoring in a game (usually in tabular form)
           subtype:  synopsis__outline__abstract__precis__adumbration  a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory
              subtype:  brief  a condensed written summary or abstract
              subtype:  apercu  a short synopsis
              subtype:  epitome  a brief abstract (as of an article or book)
           subtype:  overview  a general summary of a subject; "the treasurer gave a brief overview of the financial consequences"
           subtype:  recapitulation__recap__review  a summary that repeats the substance of a longer discussion
           subtype:  roundup.summary  a summary list; as in e.g. "a news roundup"
           subtype:  resume__sketch__survey  short descriptive summary (of events)
           subtype:  summing_up__summingup__summation__rundown  a concluding summary (as in presenting a case before a law court)
        subtype:  indirect_discourse  a report of a discourse in which deictic terms are modified appropriately (e.g., "he said `I am a fool' would be modified to `he said he is a fool'")
        subtype:  direct_discourse__direct_quotation  a report of the exact words used in a discourse (e.g., "he said `I am a fool'")
        subtype:  debriefing  report of a mission or task
        subtype:  anecdote  short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)
        subtype:  narration__narrative__story__recital__yarn  an account describing incidents or events; "a farfetched narrative"; "after dinner he told the children stories of his adventures"
           subtype:  tall_tale  an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story
           subtype:  folktale__folk_tale  a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk
              subtype:  Arabian_Nights'_Entertainment__Arabian_Nights__Thousand_and_One_Nights  a collection of folktales in Arabic dating from the 10th century
           subtype:  sob_story__sobstory__sob_stuff__sobstuff  a sentimental story or personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy
           subtype:  fairytale__fairy_story__fairystory  a story about fairies; told to amuse children
           subtype:  nursery_rhyme__nurseryrhyme  a tale in rhymed verse for children
           subtype:  telling__relation__recounting  an act of narration; "he was the hero according to his own relation"; "his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable"
        subtype:  gossip__comment__scuttlebutt  a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people; "the divorce caused much gossip"
           subtype:  earful  an outpouring of gossip
           subtype:  rumor__rumour__hearsay  gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
           subtype:  word_of_mouth__grapevine__pipeline  gossip spread by spoken communication; "the news of their affair was spread by word of mouth"
           subtype:  malicious_gossip__maliciousgossip__scandal__dirt  disgraceful gossip about the private lives of other people
           subtype:  talk_of_the_town__talk  idle gossip or rumor; "there has been talk about you lately"
     subtype:  warning  a message informing of danger
        subtype:  alarmism  needless warnings
        subtype:  alert__alerting  a warning serves to make you more alert to danger
        subtype:  caution__caveat  a warning against certain acts: "a caveat against unfair practices"
        subtype:  false_alarm  a warning that is given about something that fails to occur
        subtype:  forewarning__premonition  an early warning about a future event
        subtype:  strategic_warning__strategicwarning  (military) a warning prior to the start of a threatening act
           subtype:  warning_of_war  (military) a warning to national policy makers that an enemy intends war or is preparing for war and is on a course that increases the risk of war
        subtype:  tactical_warning  (military) a warning after the initiation of a hostile act
           subtype:  warning_of_attack  (military) a warning to national policy makers that an enemy intends to launch an attack in the near future
        subtype:  threat  a warning that something unpleasant is immanent; "they were under threat of arrest"
  subtype:  promise  a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
     subtype:  parole__word__word_of_honor  a promise; "he gave his word"
     subtype:  troth__betrothal__engagement  a mutual promise to marry
        subtype:  ringing  the giving of a ring as a token of engagement
     subtype:  pinning  a mutual promise of a couple not to date anyone else; on college campuses it was once signaled by the giving of a fraternity pin
     subtype:  rain_check  a promise that an unaccepted offer will be renewed in the future
  subtype:  boast__boasting__self-praise__jactitation  speaking of yourself in superlatives
     subtype:  brag__bragging__crow__crowing__line-shooting  an instance of boastful talk; "his brag is worse than his fight"
     subtype:  braggadocio__bluster__rodomontade__rhodomontade  vain and empty boasting
     subtype:  vaunt  extravagant self-praise
     subtype:  self-assertion.boast__selfassertion  the act of putting forth your own opinions in a boastful or inconsiderate manner that implies you feel superior to others
  subtype:  naming  the verbal act of naming; "the part he failed was the naming of state capitals"
     subtype:  acrophony  naming a letter of the alphabet by using a word whose initial sound is the sound represented by that letter
     subtype:  designation  the act of designating
        subtype:  numeration  naming numbers
     subtype:  indication  the act of indicating
     subtype:  specification  naming explicitly
  subtype:  challenge  a call to engage in a contest or fight
     subtype:  dare__daring  a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy; "he could never refuse a dare"
     subtype:  confrontation  a bold challenge
     subtype:  call-out  a challenge to a fight or duel
     subtype:  defiance  a hostile challenge
     subtype:  calling_into_question__demand_for_explanation  a challenge to defend what someone has said
     subtype:  demand_for_identification  as by a sentry
  subtype:  denunciation__denouncement  a public act of denouncing
     subtype:  excoriation  severe censure
     subtype:  diatribe__fulmination  thunderous verbal attack
     subtype:  tirade__philippic__broadside  a violent denunciation
     subtype:  damnation  the act of damning
     subtype:  execration__condemnation__curse  an appeal to some supernatural power to inflict evil on someone or some group
        subtype:  anathema  a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
        subtype:  malediction__imprecation  calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult); "he suffered the imprecations of the mob"
  subtype:  address.speech_act__addres  a formal spoken communication delivered to an audience; "he listened to an address on minor Roman poets"
     subtype:  allocution  (rhetoric) a formal or authoritative address that advises or exhorts
     subtype:  colloquium  an address to an academic meeting or seminar
     subtype:  Gettysburg_Address  a 3-minute address by Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War (November 19, 1963) at the dedication of a national cemetery on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg
     subtype:  impromptu  an extemporaneous speech or remark; "a witty impromptu must not sound premeditated"
     subtype:  inaugural_address__inauguraladdres__inaugural  an address delivered at an inaugural ceremony (especially by a US president)
     subtype:  public_lecture__lecture__talk  a speech that is open to the public; "he attended a lecture on telecommunications"
     subtype:  litany  any long and tedious address or recital; "the patient recited a litany of complaints"
     subtype:  oratory  addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous); "he loved the sound of his own oratory"
        subtype:  keynote_speech__keynotespeech__keynote_address  a speech setting forth the keynote
        subtype:  nominating_speech__nominating_address__nomination  an address (usually at a political convention) proposing the name of a candidate to run for election
        subtype:  oration  an instance of oratory; "he delivered an oration on the decline of family values"
        subtype:  declamation  vehement oratory
           subtype:  harangue__rant__ranting  a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
              subtype:  screed  a long monotonous harangue
           subtype:  raving  declaiming wildly; "the raving of maniacs"
        subtype:  stump_speech__stumpspeech  political oratory
        subtype:  valedictory_address__valediction__valedictory  a farewell oration delivered by the most outstanding member of a graduating class
     subtype:  public_speaking__publicspeaking__speechmaking__speaking__oral_presentation  delivering an address to a public audience; "people came to see the candidates and hear the speechmaking"
        subtype:  recitation.public_speaking__recital__reading  a public instance of reciting or repeating something prepared; "the program included songs and recitations of well-loved poems"
        subtype:  public_debate__debate__disputation  the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated proposition (usually followed by a vote)
     subtype:  preaching__sermon__discourse  an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)
        subtype:  baccalaureate  a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies
        subtype:  kerygma  preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church
        subtype:  Sermon_on_the_Mount  the first major discourse delivered by Jesus; Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6:20-49
        subtype:  evangelism  zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel
        subtype:  homily__preachment  a sermon on a moral or religious topic
  subtype:  resignation  the act of resigning
     subtype:  abdication__stepping_down  a formal resignation and renunciation of powers
     subtype:  renouncement__renunciation  a verbal act of renouncing
        subtype:  relinquishing__relinquishment  a verbal act of relinquishing
           subtype:  yielding__giving_up__surrender  a verbal act of admitting defeat

No statement uses or specializes speech_act; click here to add one.

283 categories printed


Another search (with same display options)?