speak up

verb

spoke up; spoken up; speaking up; speaks up

intransitive verb

1

: to speak loudly and distinctly

2

: to express an opinion freely

… speak up for truth and justice …

—Clive Bell

Synonyms of speak up

• speak out
• shout
• cry
• talk up
• yell
• pipe up
• spout (off)
• sound off

Examples of speak up in a Sentence

she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings

Recent Examples on the Web

Imtiaz stresses that with any form of treatment, speaking up quickly about any concerns is essential. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

If something doesn’t seem right, both experts recommend speaking up immediately. — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2026

The generation that has encountered the impact of social media on their own and their friends’ mental and physical wellbeing is speaking up, loud and clear. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026

The loudest voices claiming to champion women suddenly lose interest the moment women speak up about the risks of ignoring biological reality. — Payton McNabb Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for speak up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

speak up

verb

: speak out