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

Relevance

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 Adams moved to the United States from Australia in 2012 and has since become an outspoken champion of the American political and economic system. — Kali Bomeli, ProPublica, 28 July 2026 Corson has been an outspoken critic of the Supreme Court amendment. — Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026 Tracy has been by her husband’s side ever since the actor revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis at age 29, and has been outspoken in her support of him over the years. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026 Jennifer Wedel, whose daughter graduated from Heritage Christian Academy, has been outspoken about her frustration and anger at Eric Crawford allowing his son to work around children. — Rachel Royster july 23, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 July 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
  • Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Home and ambition may need a more honest handoff.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Effective communication should be honest, consistent, and rooted in core values, acknowledging that many boycotts occur invisibly through personal networks, not just public channels.
    — Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Yes, there are behind-the-scenes snippets from their projects with candid photos, but the chances of us seeing the inside of one of their houses feels slim to none.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 July 2026
  • Executives who openly acknowledge complexity and are candid about limitations cultivate a much stronger internal culture.
    — Rochelle Blease, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • While the letter is amusing and frank, Kincaid is making a request that would have been ignored.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026
  • On a special episode of the author’s The Rest Is History podcast, the two Toms unpack Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey — and also have a frank conversation about the consequences of sharing a name with someone very famous.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 July 2026
Definition of frank
Adjective
  • Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Thirty pounds lighter, with a prosthetic eyelid, a higher vocal octave and months of mental preparation, Hunnam became Gein.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • When customers enter, the décor immediately signals to the body a forthcoming relaxation and a mental reset.
    — Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The 35-year-old will lead England in the forthcoming three-Test series against Pakistan, the nation’s first matches since Stokes resigned in dramatic fashion midway through the defeat to New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June.
    — Andrew Fifield, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of forthcoming
Adjective
  • 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
  • Americans heard much more forthright rationales from generals involved in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
    — Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 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 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on outspoken

Nglish: Translation of outspoken for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of élan

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

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

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All