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

Giselle Garcia, program director for NorCal Resist, said the arrest data largely tracks with the organization’s own informal counts though emphasized much enforcement goes unaccounted for if families aren’t willing to speak up. — Mathew Miranda july 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

My last bosses had created a toxic work environment in which people hesitated to speak up, question authority, or make mistakes. — Leslie Friday, CNBC, 10 July 2026

That learning is shaping whether people speak up, challenge assumptions, surface risks and pursue opportunities—right now, today, in your organization. — Daniela Landherr, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

History is full of examples of officers who also spoke up about the ethics and strategic implications of the president’s choices. — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 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