How to Use on speaking terms in a Sentence

on speaking terms

idiom
Definition of on speaking termsnext
  • The Underwoods are no longer on speaking terms with their son.
    — Chiara Eisner, Wired, 21 Oct. 2020
  • Teresa, 50, and Melissa have not been on speaking terms in months.
    — Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 3 May 2023
  • Teresa, 50, and Melissa have not been on speaking terms in months.
    — Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 3 May 2023
  • Fifty years later, very few of the people on this album are on speaking terms.
    — Joe Hagan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2021
  • But for the majority of the war, the two generals weren't even on speaking terms.
    — J.l. Kirven, The Courier-Journal, 2 Mar. 2022
  • In 2020, many world leaders were barely on speaking terms.
    — Jake Sullivan, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2023
  • The two were previously best friends, but appear to no longer be on speaking terms.
    — Kelly Martinez, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023
  • Now the pair has an icy relationship and are barely on speaking terms.
    — Melanie Zanona and Alex Rogers, CNN, 14 July 2021
  • William and Harry, by all accounts, are still barely on speaking terms.
    — Mark Landler, New York Times, 1 July 2021
  • In the trailer for season four of The Kardashians, the sisters remain at odds and are barely on speaking terms.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023
  • Still, by 1958, neither mammal was on speaking terms with each other.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2021
  • For a period, Ward wasn’t on speaking terms with Stortz or most council members.
    — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2022
  • For dads no longer on speaking terms with Mr. Coffee, the easiest way to get a tasty, balanced, less-bitter cup is to use an AeroPress.
    — WIRED, 13 June 2023
  • The two nonprofits are not on speaking terms, said Silverio.
    — al, 10 Apr. 2023
  • By 1982, Freud and Bacon -- two pillars of British contemporary art -- were not on speaking terms.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN, 15 June 2022
  • Since skipping the wedding, Giudice and the Gorgas haven't been on speaking terms, exchanging blows in the press and on their respective podcasts.
    — Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2023
  • As the show begins in the 1970s Franklin is no longer on speaking terms with his longtime collaborator, lyricist and playwright Charley.
    — Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2022
  • Here is the complete story, in the voices of Taylor and Gracey — who, again, are no longer on speaking terms and were interviewed separately.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2023
  • Inviting everyone to the same social event would, indeed, be awkward, as your sister and the social circle are no longer on speaking terms.
    — Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2022
  • Today, China and the US are barely on speaking terms, and the idea of strategic autonomy means that Europe increasingly needs to look out for itself.
    — Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 28 May 2022
  • Unfortunately, things are really rough right now, and the two aren't on speaking terms, according to People.
    — Women's Health, 10 Feb. 2023
  • It's been said that Diana was not on speaking terms with her grandmother, perhaps because of her separation from Charles a year earlier.
    — Shannon Carlin, refinery29.com, 16 Nov. 2020
  • The Arizona governor left Trump so irritated after shutting down his voter fraud claims in a Twitter threat last year that the two men are not currently on speaking terms.
    — Gabby Orr, CNN, 27 May 2021
  • Diana was reportedly not on speaking terms with her mother before her tragic 1997 death.
    — Shannon Carlin, refinery29.com, 16 Nov. 2020
  • Montiel recalls another vigil with a dying mother who wasn’t on speaking terms with her only relative, a 40-year-old son.
    — Dallas News, 23 Dec. 2020
  • Except a writers strike hovers over the industry, casting into doubt what a September Emmys might look like, and whether Hollywood will be up and running – or on speaking terms – come show time.
    — Brian Lowry, CNN, 11 July 2023
  • Family work:Family businesses: 8 rules for working with your relatives that will keep you on speaking terms 4.
    — Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2023
  • Laird, a homemaker, was Roman Catholic; although neither parent was particularly religious, their families weren’t on speaking terms.
    — New York Times, 20 July 2021
  • Even Peltz’s top deputies are fleeing in droves, with former heir apparent and son-in-law Ed Garden no longer on speaking terms with Peltz after leaving the firm and acknowledging the business model is broken.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on speaking terms.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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