Definition of expressnext
1
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

3
4
5

express

2 of 3

adjective

express

3 of 3

noun

British

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 express a pained desire for the return of the PowerPoint slides. Dónal Gill, The Dial, 8 Sep. 2026 Salaries were cut by about 36% under that review as the public expressed concern over political pay. ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Adjective
During the school year, Daeun Kim, 17, catches the express bus at least five days a week from Staten Island to the Upper West Side. Adi Guajardo, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026 Publix shoppers will no longer need to count the number of items in their cart before considering using the express checkout lane. Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for express
Recent Examples of Synonyms for express
Verb
  • Economists and other political observers are voicing concerns about the potential effects on inflation and the national balance sheet.
    BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • This year's narrators include Auliʻi Cravalho and Jodi Benson - who voiced Moana and Ariel, respectively – as well as Jason Kelce, Simu Liu and more.
    Eve Chen, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As more homes come onto the market and mortgage rates remain elevated, sellers are increasingly adjusting prices to attract buyers who have been squeezed by affordability challenges.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The surge has raised concerns that higher gasoline prices could squeeze household budgets and weigh on consumer spending.
    Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The cast’s Blackness is a huge part of this — signifying is in their blood — but the impact spread across the whole franchise.
    Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
  • But Porter and Price saw the moose as a different member of the horse family, with the rainbow signifying pride.
    Livia Caligor, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Michael Strain, director of economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, a center-right think tank, said Trump would be repeating the same policy mistake as his predecessor, Democratic former President Joe Biden.
    BILL BARROW, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Hong Kong and central Chinese authorities say the laws were necessary to restore stability in the city after months of anti-government protests in 2019 that sometimes turned violent.
    Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 11 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • During the 1960s and ’70s, Morgan embodied and inspired historic changes in how women lived and thought.
    Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The contrast between relief and despair is rarely more stark than on a tennis court, where two players embodying those emotions stand across the net at the end of a match and shake hands.
    Ava Wallace, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The researchers focused on a specific material used in aircraft and train interiors, including passenger-cabin flooring.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Late-stage studies have shown success in directing the immune system to attack tumor-specific mutations.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Even when the subtext of previous policy suggested suspicion of American Muslims, federal leaders never expressed explicit hostility.
    Daniel Benjamin, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2026
  • A number of definitions, particularly from this period, drew an explicit connection between Indigenous peoples and European colonialism.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • War Secretary Pete Hegseth has become one of the administration’s most active political messengers.
    James A. Downs, The Washington Examiner, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Like Hamby, Gray posted a screenshot of the message and other online users seemingly tracked down the messenger.
    Mike Wilson, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/express. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster