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 justiceClive Bell

Examples of speak up in a Sentence

she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Many critics of the decision, including doctors, are afraid to speak up against it. Arthur Allen, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2025 Learning how to express themselves is just as important as having the courage to speak up. Hannah Nwoko, Parents, 21 Oct. 2025 Skinner, who won silver in vault at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, spoke up about the issue earlier this year, and is now taking a harder stance. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 She's never had a problem speaking up for herself. Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speak up

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speak up was in 1681

Cite this Entry

“Speak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speak%20up. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

speak up

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on speak up

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