outspoken

adjective

ˌau̇t-ˈspō-kən How to pronounce outspoken (audio)
Definition of outspokennext
as in honest
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions a newspaper columnist who has been very outspoken on a number of controversial issues

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 outspoken Hurzeler was outspoken about Arsenal’s time-wasting and reliance on set pieces before and after an ugly 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions at the Amex in March. — Andy Naylor, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Big progressive win Nixon, an outspoken progressive, ended up easily defeating Vindman, who was much more of an establishment centrist. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 The Save Quartz Jobs coalition, which represents businesses that measure, cut and install quartz surfaces, has been one of the most outspoken opponents. — Bloomberg News, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026 Unlike the politically neutral stance some businesses take, Foster has been outspoken about her views on several issues. — Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for outspoken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for outspoken
  1. honest
  2. candid
  3. frank
  4. vocal
  5. forthcoming
  6. forthright
Adjective
  • Attracting and training game officials, to be honest, isn’t the job of the CIF office but of the various regional officials associations that assign them.
    — Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Set in 2009, the film follows two TV reporters forced into a dirty election campaign for a pro-Russian candidate who struggle to stay honest with their work and the people.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • In the interview, Rubio appeared relaxed, candid and funny – very different from his usual public appearances.
    — Nicole Russell, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Ford, even more than Antonioni, renders characters’ social context both intellectually and dramatically explicit by way of extensive, florid, candid, confrontational dialogue.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • Panettiere similarly tackled the issue of mental health with frank discussions about her own struggles with substance abuse and postpartum depression.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Pierre and Jagannathan’s scenes have a charge enhanced by their characters’ age gap and frank conversations about navigating the overwhelmingly white Rushville.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of frank
Adjective
  • As a neo-New Wave guy with a heartland jones and drama-king chops, Flowers isn’t bad cosplaying his heroes, even if his brawny rock-opera vocal approach is a bit short on the conversational warmth that makes for truly memorable country singing.
    — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The Guatemalan epidemic has been traced back to a gathering in Santiago Atitlán in December 2025 that was organized by a Christian megachurch whose leaders have been vocal about their anti-vaccine views.
    — Kathryn H. Jacobsen, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an exclusive first look at the forthcoming second location of longtime Buckhead staple Hal’s The Steakhouse, which will open next year in the Patterson House at Spring Quarter.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Actor Brad Pitt has been tapped as an executive producer of a forthcoming film about the work of Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of forthcoming
Adjective
  • Unfortunately, not all DSA members and sympathizers are as forthright about their intentions as Romer.
    — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Lorde’s and Parker’s letters are forthright and funny from the start, but the other writers are reticent and polite at first.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 July 2026
Definition of forthright

Browse Nearby Words

outsmarts
outspoken
outspokenness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Outspoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outspoken. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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