#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.
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