outspoken

1 of 2

adjective

out·​spo·​ken ˌau̇t-ˈspō-kən 

1

: direct and open in speech or expression : frank

… outspoken in his criticism …

—Current Biography

2

: spoken or expressed without reserve

his outspoken advocacy of environmentalism

outspokenly adverb

outspokenness

ˌau̇t-ˈspō-kən-nəs 

noun

outspoken

2 of 2

past participle of outspeak

Synonyms of outspoken

Adjective

• honest
• candid
• frank
• vocal
• forthcoming
• forthright

Examples of outspoken in a Sentence

Adjective

She has been an outspoken advocate of women's rights throughout her life.

an outspoken and controversial radio host

She's very outspoken about political issues.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Cunningham has been outspoken about transgender women in women's sports, a position that has spurred rallies in support of and opposed to her stance. — S.e. Jenkins, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

Democrats’ weak prospects in Florida kept the national party out of the state, and Nixon capitalized on Vindman’s reluctance to face her on the campaign trail and her record as an outspoken progressive. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Hurzeler was outspoken about Arsenal’s time-wasting and reliance on set pieces before and after an ugly 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions at the Amex in March. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Big progressive win Nixon, an outspoken progressive, ended up easily defeating Vindman, who was much more of an establishment centrist. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outspoken

• awoken
• betoken
• heartbroken
• unbroken
• unspoken
• broken
• oaken
• spoken
• token
• woken

Kids Definition

outspoken

adjective

out·​spo·​ken au̇t-ˈspō-kən 

: direct and open in speech or expression : frank

outspokenness

-kən-nəs 

noun