EXPRESS Synonyms: 230 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

express 1 of 3

verb

ik-ˈspres

Definition of express

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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

as in to embody

to represent in visible form towering spires express in glass and steel the optimism of the age

Synonyms & Similar Words

express

2 of 3

adjective

as in specific

of a particular or exact sort a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

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.

Recent Examples of express

Verb

Some Republicans have publicly expressed frustration with his leadership and the department's failure to provide adequate information about the war's objectives, costs, and duration. — Nik Popli, Time, 2 Nov. 2026 But the officials have expressed concerns about the accuracy of the list and the potential for eligible voters to be disenfranchised. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Adjective

The express mask works within 10 minutes to give the eyelids a contoured, smoother look. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Anything Libraries added an express branch to its library system. — CBS News, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for express

Recent Examples of Synonyms for express

Verb

Meanwhile, other Republicans on the committee have been reluctant to comment on matters like Boozman’s Rudofsky shutdown, but have voiced general support for getting every nominee past the finish line.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 11 Nov. 2026
Johnson, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Todd Blanche also voiced support for Hegseth during the impeachment push.

— Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of voice

Verb

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil artery between Iran and Oman, has sent oil and gas prices on the uptick, squeezing Americans at home.

— Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 2 Nov. 2026
Drain collard greens and squeeze gently to remove excess water.

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

In this view, the use of force signifies the abdication of political power rather than its culmination.

— David Sacks, Foreign Affairs, 6 Nov. 2026
The new name follows a $50 million gift to CCMC from entrepreneur, civic leader and philanthropist Tom Golisano in 2025 and signifies the hospital joining the Golisano Children’s Alliance.

— Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of signify

Verb

Grimes was questionable for Wednesday’s game, but still had swelling, Redick said, which could have affected the right-handed guard’s shooting.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
Reefs bring in roughly $10 million to $12 million in annual economic benefits for the county, Adams said.

— Henry Larson, NPR, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

Reaves embodied Doncic in almost every way Sunday, leading the Lakers to a 121-116 win over the Detroit Pistons as Doncic sat out with low back tightness.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
The rooms The resort's rooms embody midcentury British-Caribbean elegance, featuring open interiors, marble bathrooms, and private balconies with beach views.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of embody

Adjective

But all of them headed 25 miles north to Criteria, too, to capture specific sounds.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 13 Nov. 2026
In a 7-6 vote, the City Council passed a compromise policy that would create two downtown districts and give council members the opportunity to allow or deny development of specific data centers.

— CBS News, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

Now, explicit calls for civil war or posts calling to prepare for the coming fight are on the rise on social media, experts say, especially in the lead up to and days after the midterms.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2026
Believe in children’s ability to understand Without explicit conversations and learning about race and racial inequities, children can believe stereotypes, cause harm to others and make false assumptions about what causes inequality.

— Saba Khan Vlach, The Conversation, 12 Nov. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

To the Indigenous CHamoru people of the Mariana Islands, the bird is known as the Åga, an ancestral messenger who alerts the community of impending illness or weather disaster.

— Rachel Ramirez, Vox, 12 Nov. 2026
The war was over and Brown suddenly became a messenger of peace.

— William Lambers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of messenger

Cite this Entry

Style

“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/express. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of express

verb

adjective

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

boilerplate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes