intone
Recite without inflection
To intone is to speak or recite in a sustained, measured tone, often with little variation in pitch.
The word suggests solemnity or ritual: The priest intoned the blessing.
Intone can also mean to chant or sing in a monotone, particularly in religious contexts.
More broadly, it describes any utterance delivered with deliberate, formal gravity: She intoned the rules as if reading scripture.
Sacred scriptural song
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- plainchantUnaccompanied liturgical melody
- gregorianNamed for Pope Gregory
- cantorLiturgical music leader
versicle · antiphon · precentor · hymn · vespers · matins · compline · evensong
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- prayerAddress to deity
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
consecration · sacrament · rite · mantra · worship · blessing · ordination · baptism
Frequency of sound
- inflectionWord form alteration
- modulationVarying signals to transmit
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- resonanceAmplified oscillation at natural frequency
timbre · vibrato · register · articulation · enunciation · pronunciation · vocalize · voice
Unmanned flying machine
- humLow steady sound
- flatLacking vertical variation
- unvaryingRemaining the same always
- monotonousUnchangingly dull
toneless · expressionless · uninflected · deadpan · droning · level · even · unchanging
Formal public speech
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- declaimSpeak rhetorically, dramatically
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
- declarationFormal public announcement
recitation · sermon · homily · reading · monologue · discourse · peroration · soliloquy
psalm
Sacred scriptural song
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- plainchantUnaccompanied liturgical melody
- gregorianNamed for Pope Gregory
cantor · versicle · antiphon · precentor · hymn · vespers · matins · compline · evensong · alleluia
ceremony
Formal event marking occasions
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- prayerAddress to deity
benediction · consecration · sacrament · rite · mantra · worship · blessing · ordination · baptism · absolution
pitch
Frequency of sound
- inflectionWord form alteration
- modulationVarying signals to transmit
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
resonance · timbre · vibrato · register · articulation · enunciation · pronunciation · vocalize · voice · utterance
drone
Unmanned flying machine
monotonous · toneless · expressionless · uninflected · deadpan · droning · level · even · unchanging · colorless
oration
Formal public speech
- proclamationFormal public announcement
- declaimSpeak rhetorically, dramatically
- pronouncementFormal authoritative statement
declaration · recitation · sermon · homily · reading · monologue · discourse · peroration · soliloquy · narration
dirge
Mournful commemorative music
somber · dignified · mournful · sepulchral · requiem · pensive · subdued · reverent · plangent · elegiac
intonewhisper
Speech without full voice
murmur · mumble · mutter · fall silent · say nothing
intonation, intoning, intoned, intones, intonations, intonate