Synonyms of express

express 1 of 3

verb

ik-ˈspres 

1

as in to voice

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)

in a true democracy, a person can freely express his or her views

Synonyms & Similar Words

• voice
• give
• state
• announce
• write
• convey
• air
• look
• say
• expound
• describe
• raise
• ventilate
• vent
• proclaim
• sound
• put forth
• declare
• publish
• disseminate
• offer
• submit
• circulate
• advertise
• give air to
• broadcast
• communicate
• enunciate
• write up
• speak out
• speak up
• enounce
• put over
• put across
• sound off
• chime in

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• suppress
• restrict
• restrain
• stifle
• censor

2

as in to squeeze

to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of

except as a fun event at festivals, nowadays people do not make wine by expressing grapes with their feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

• squeeze
• crush
• press
• mash
• extract
• pulp
• ream
• extrude
• purée
• puree

3

as in to signify

to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind

an upraised thumb is now universally recognized as a gesture expressing approval or encouragement

Synonyms & Similar Words

• signify
• mean
• imply
• denote
• indicate
• intend
• import
• spell
• suggest
• explain
• represent
• infer
• symbolize
• symbol
• embody
• specify
• proclaim
• connote
• mention
• announce
• touch (on or upon)
• hint
• point (to)
• amount (to)
• add up (to)
• cite
• elucidate
• personify
• refer (to)
• designate
• signal
• instance
• intimate
• allude (to)
• declare
• insinuate
• epitomize
• advert

4

as in to say

to convey in appropriate or telling terms

could you express your opinion of the book in words a little more precise than "lousy"?

Synonyms & Similar Words

• say
• articulate
• put
• phrase
• word
• formulate
• state
• describe
• clothe
• translate
• imply
• couch
• speak
• summarize
• tell
• communicate
• hint
• suggest
• disclose
• craft
• restate
• utter
• paraphrase
• verbalize
• rephrase
• intimate
• render
• insinuate
• vocalize
• talk
• frame
• reword
• write up

5

as in to embody

to represent in visible form

towering spires express in glass and steel the optimism of the age

Synonyms & Similar Words

• embody
• incorporate
• symbolize
• manifest
• exemplify
• body
• illustrate
• personify
• personalize
• realize
• epitomize
• externalize
• instantiate
• substantiate
• incarnate
• materialize
• actualize
• typify
• concretize
• objectify
• image

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disembody

express

2 of 3

adjective

1

as in specific

of a particular or exact sort

a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

• specific
• special
• sole
• precise
• distinct
• concrete
• set
• only
• especial
• specialized
• peculiar
• single
• distinctive
• limited
• separate
• individual
• restricted
• unique
• solitary
• exclusive
• lone
• given
• differentiated
• specified

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• general
• nonspecific
• generalized
• universal
• generic
• nonexclusive

2

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning

students are not allowed to leave the grounds during school hours unless they have express permission from the principal's office

Synonyms & Similar Words

• explicit
• definite
• specific
• definitive
• unmistakable
• unambiguous
• unequivocal
• literal
• complete
• comprehensive
• full
• clear
• univocal
• clear-cut
• stated
• simple
• precise
• specified
• comprehensible
• avowed
• direct
• distinct
• declared
• categorical
• certain
• understandable
• exact
• intelligible
• sure
• exhaustive
• categoric
• lucid
• plain
• straightforward
• well-defined

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• implied
• implicit
• inferred
• unclear
• dark
• obscure
• ambiguous
• cryptic
• enigmatic
• incorrect
• inaccurate
• vague
• circuitous
• imprecise
• enigmatical
• indefinite
• inexact
• equivocal
• incomprehensible
• unintelligible
• inexplicit
• unspecific

express

3 of 3

noun

British

as in messenger

one that carries a message or does an errand

the solicitors employ an express to deliver their summonses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• messenger
• courier
• runner
• page
• delegate
• representative
• ambassador
• agent
• go-between
• harbinger
• bearer
• mail carrier
• herald
• letter carrier
• forerunner
• carrier
• envoy
• emissary
• deputy
• mailman
• deliveryman

Synonym Chooser

How is the word express distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of express are air, broach, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When is air a more appropriate choice than express?

In some situations, the words air and express are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When would broach be a good substitute for express?

The meanings of broach and express largely overlap; however, broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

In what contexts can utter take the place of express?

While in some cases nearly identical to express, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When can vent be used instead of express?

The words vent and express can be used in similar contexts, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

Where would voice be a reasonable alternative to express?

The synonyms voice and express are sometimes interchangeable, but voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of express

Verb

Many of the justices who voted against the NCAA in Alston expressed worry about the commercialization of college sports. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 May 2025

In an age of social media dominated by algorithms, Reddit took pride in being curated by a community that expressed its feelings in the form of upvotes and downvotes—in other words, being shaped by actual people. —Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025

Adjective

Republican Senators such as Josh Hawley and Bernie Moreno claim to support labor and express wariness of free trade and concentrations of wealth. —Jennifer M. Harris, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025

The brand offers free standard shipping without minimum purchase, plus express and international shipping. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 24 Apr. 2025

Noun

The allowance for credit losses increased to $34.8 million, representing 1.15% of gross loans, reflecting higher charge-offs in the business express loan portfolio. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025

How many forms of late-capitalist disaffection can one Magic Wand express? —Dean Kissick, Harper's Magazine, 2 Dec. 2024