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 According to The Times, Menin wasn’t the only newly outspoken critic of the honoree. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026 Yiannopoulos has been a prominent far-right figure online and has drawn major criticism for his outspoken views. — Luke Barr, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026 Davis has long been an outspoken advocate for diversity and Black representation, especially in the entertainment industry. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026 The lawsuit claimed Hector was fired in retaliation for her outspoken opposition to censorship efforts directed toward the library. — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 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
  • Rational, honest people understand that a part of her appeal is to middle America, particularly white people in middle America.
    — Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a lot in this film to be honest, but the first one that comes to mind is probably a moment where Tyler is leading his group in a conversation with the king for the first time.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of honest
Adjective
  • Agencies need to create opportunities for junior team members to observe client conversations, defend ideas, receive candid feedback and solve real business problems.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Muhl opened up about the family milestone in an Instagram post of her own, which featured several candid shots of the couple spending time with baby Aurelius.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of candid
Adjective
  • Despite her designs’ frank sensuality, all the harnesses and black leather, her real kink is Hermès’s craftsmanship.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov described the talks to journalists afterward as constructive, frank and useful, but didn’t talk about specific outcomes.
    — Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of frank
Adjective
  • Both Cuban-American Republicans from Miami are two of the most vocal critics of the communist government in Havana.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026
  • While fans were initially vocal about not being able to hear Sampha, his energy was palpable throughout the set.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • And although the Maroon reissue featured OG-style Nike Air branding, it wasn’t featured on the Sport Blue release just one year prior — an omission Nike will reportedly seek to correct on the forthcoming 2027 drop.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In a lawsuit filed last month in Sacramento County, party leaders claim the theft is to bolster a forthcoming whistleblower retaliation and harassment lawsuit against the party.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of forthcoming
Adjective
  • One issue with tallying them is that the Pentagon has been less than forthright about many aspects of the conflict.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Each of those pieces of her public-facing persona seemed to naturally grow from a vast discography where Parton established herself as hardscrabble, emotionally forthright and full of intuition.
    — Ethan Beck, Washington Post, 28 Aug. 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 9 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 stigma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All