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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Fine is more supportive of Israel while Biss and Abughazaleh, an outspoken Gen Z influencer who is Palestinian American, have been more critical.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
17 Mar. 2026
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Meanwhile, his company’s treatment of its essential workers, and the firing of Chris Smalls, an outspoken employee in a Staten Island warehouse, triggered the creation of the first Amazon union—a milestone in the recent surge of labor activism in America.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At least my mother was more honest.—
Han Ong,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
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And to be honest, our offensive rebounding wasn’t poor.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Alicia Creti is a vocal powerhouse and her candid ballads stole the show at Billboard House.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
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Morrison, who praised Martinez for filling a difficult role during a tumultuous time, was nonetheless candid in his assessment.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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These are old friends with a difficult dynamic having a very frank discussion with each other.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2026
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Open, frank discussions about data centers are a function of a strong, working democracy.—
Mehdi Paryavi,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plainspoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plainspoken. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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