as in outspoken
free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions
a plainspoken woman who never hesitated to speak the unvarnished truth
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Recent Examples of plainspoken
In a genre known for honest and plainspoken storytelling, the group’s members — with their varied talents, experiences and perspectives — work to take the music one step further.
—
Shannon Marie Tovey, AJC.com, 1 Jan. 2026
These poems are plainspoken, emotionally direct, haunted by the past and the inexorability of time.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
With Michael Shannon magnificently plainspoken as Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen tragically deranged as Charles Guiteau and Nick Offerman steeped in inner conflict as undeserving Vice President Chester Alan Arthur, this is as good as historical drama gets.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Widely listened to for decades, his staying power comes from his plainspoken nature, genuineness and relatability as much as his determination and hard work.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plainspoken
Shannon Marie Tovey, AJC.com, 1 Jan. 2026
These poems are plainspoken, emotionally direct, haunted by the past and the inexorability of time.
—Vince Passaro, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
With Michael Shannon magnificently plainspoken as Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen tragically deranged as Charles Guiteau and Nick Offerman steeped in inner conflict as undeserving Vice President Chester Alan Arthur, this is as good as historical drama gets.
—Julie Hinds, Freep.com, 23 Dec. 2025
Widely listened to for decades, his staying power comes from his plainspoken nature, genuineness and relatability as much as his determination and hard work.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plainspoken
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plainspoken
Adjective
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Arratia in particular worships at the altar of De la Iglesia whose highly political, outspoken but structured political melodramas, made from the ‘60s to the ‘80s, underscored how Spain’s establishment exploited it young proles, pushed into crime for a lack of real economic alternatives.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
10 Mar. 2026
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Always entertaining and joking with those around him, the outspoken American has taken on a showman personality at the Games.—
Tales Azzoni,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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More intriguing are the honest and intentional stories about how regular people move through landscapes defined by entropy and division but also community.—
Jake Pitre,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
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August 23 – September 22 Being honest doesn’t mean being unkind.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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As funny as these moments can be, Grace gets candid about the downside of virality after being a working actor for nearly 15 years.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Mar. 2026
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Now Republicans want to turn years of candid on-camera musings against him.—
Jonathan J. Cooper,
Fortune,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The conference will host powerhouse men's basketball programs such as Gonzaga, San Diego State, Utah State and Colorado State, and Johnson has been frank about the challenges the Bobcats will face.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
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But Sista was the incubator for Missy’s frank, explicit approach to sexuality, and for her style of songwriting and production, informed by the moods of the 90s Black girl group—a mysterious sensuality that paired sublimely with the cool of an around-the-way homegirl.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plainspoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainspoken. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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