as in to speak out
to voice one's opinions freely with force
she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of speak up
Neither Pope Leo nor Pope Francis are the first pontiffs to speak up about politics, including US military actions.
—
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Fans need to start speaking up loudly.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
The best part of the players-only meeting was everybody who wanted to speak up felt comfortable enough to speak up.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Even people who are known for work at Paramount are speaking up.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speak up
Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
Fans need to start speaking up loudly.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
The best part of the players-only meeting was everybody who wanted to speak up felt comfortable enough to speak up.
—Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 17 Apr. 2026
Even people who are known for work at Paramount are speaking up.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for speak up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak up
Verb
-
His children have since spoken out, asking for prayers and grace.—
Charmaine Patterson,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
And during spring 2025’s budget battles, Foster spoke out against the mayor’s bloated staff and was key to the elimination of two deputy chief operating officer jobs that each paid about $400,000 annually in total compensation.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
For more than 10 minutes, officers shouted at Lopez to drop his 6-inch butcher knife, according to a report by then-Police Chief Michel Moore and POST’s investigation.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
In one of the videos, al-Nasaan’s body can be seen on the ground as his friends shout for help.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials said that after Cooper’s arrest, the first victim, a runaway, was crying hysterically and denied any involvement in prostitution.—
Samantha Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
-
Though the arrest took place over three years ago, the case faced new scrutiny in March when TMZ published a video of the altercation, showing Paul yelling, putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Scott was at Neon’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas in April talking up the film.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
-
Retailers keep talking up their sustainability efforts, but shoppers aren’t buying it—and that disconnect is costing brands both money and trust, according to a new report from reverse logistics firm ReturnPro.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Footwear News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though the arrest took place over three years ago, the case faced new scrutiny in March when TMZ published a video of the altercation, showing Paul yelling, putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing chairs at him while a child could be heard crying.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
-
McLaughlin could be heard yelling on his camera video.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Garrett Tyrrell of Durango, sitting to her right, piped up.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
12 Apr. 2026
-
As the MorphoScan measures and calculates, a voice will pipe up offering guidance and progress reports.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Coachella Weekend 1 concluded with a historic performance by the festival’s first Latina headliner Karol G and now, attendees are sounding off online about their experiences and offering advice to Weekend 2 festivalgoers.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
During Wednesday’s interview, Carter also sounded off on the state of the game globally.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speak%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
