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

Because a culture that punishes independence in leadership may also discourage people from speaking up when patient safety is at stake. — Paula Ferrada, Forbes.com, 12 Nov. 2026

Ex-Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who had a messy split with the team in 2024, harbors no bad blood toward the receiver and spoke up to defend Nabers against Olsen's critique. — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 12 Nov. 2026

But this complainant did speak up immediately after Brand forced his head into her groin. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Nov. 2026

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the rule is silence, a sentinel spoke up on Wednesday afternoon. — Lars Hanson, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 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