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

The community was already outspoken against ICE, but hadn’t felt the impacts first-hand until Vela Gonzalez was taken. — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

Sometime around the pandemic, Vanhée’s clothes got perceptibly more outspoken. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

Macklemore has been outspoken in his support for Palestinians since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. — Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Biden has also been outspoken about his support of digital currencies. — Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 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