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 Relations soured steadily over his outspoken criticism of Israeli policies toward Palestinians. — Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 The experience of Jack Ma illustrates the limits imposed on entrepreneurs who become too powerful or politically outspoken. — Rainer Zitelmann, Fortune, 2 July 2026 Harry himself, Daniel Radcliffe, has been one of the most outspoken of the former cast, frequently expressing his appreciation to Rowling for the role of a lifetime while denouncing her views on gender. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Indeed, immigration continued to be a heated topic in the United States, especially among Catholics, and Cupich remained one of the most outspoken bishops on the issue. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 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
  • Refine a portfolio piece, build a small prototype, or share a draft with someone who gives honest notes.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • County officials have repeatedly warned that fraudulent claims take money away from public services and shift the tax burden to honest taxpayers.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Readiness is an ongoing practice, not a declaration, determined by daily interactions and the safety to be candid.
    — Tracy Lawrence, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • In April 2020, the pop superstar shared a candid photo of herself and Austin to her social media in honor of National Siblings Day.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • Davis was frank with the roughly 20 people in attendance, saying the November election will not be an easy victory.
    — Rachel Royster July 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026
  • There’s a frank sadness to nearly every scene, but also a tenderness and warmth between these two unlikely friends.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of frank
Adjective
  • Since then, Emilie Kiser has been vocal on social media about water safety for children, urging parents to install pool fences and door alarms with working batteries, and ensuring children have swimming sessions.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 July 2026
  • The Voice Season 29 winner Alexia Jayy will also have a special vocal performance.
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 3 July 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • Elle Fanning stars as Effie Trinket, originally played by Elizabeth Banks; the forthcoming fifth film also provides the backstory to Effie and Haymitch’s relationship in the trilogy.
    — Mya Copeland, Variety, 4 July 2026
  • The song will appear on the forthcoming anniversary edition of the album, which was originally released on Beyoncé’s 25th birthday and debuted atop the Billboard 200 with more than 541,000 copies sold in its first week.
    — SPIN Staff, SPIN, 4 July 2026
Definition of forthcoming
Adjective
  • German punditry can be forthright.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • More screen time is given over to her burgeoning friendship with firebrand suffragette Mary, played by singer Lily Allen in a deliberately anachronistic performance — her forthright speech and manner beamed in directly from the 21st century.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 3 June 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 7 Jul. 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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All