speak

verb

ˈspēk How to pronounce speak (audio)
Definition of speaknext
1
as in to say
to express (a thought or emotion) in words finally spoke her fears

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to talk
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 speak Both officials were not authorized to comment publicly on the negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity. — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026 Rosen spoke about his love of nature and how acting gives him the chance to pick up new skills for each role. — Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 7 Nov. 2026 The Post spoke with another former detainee, Yvenson Lebrun, who knew Alex and said Alex had told him about agents hurting his leg and neck during his re-arrest. — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 7 Nov. 2026 If this sounds like an incredibly elaborate—and surprisingly elegant—way to speak to tragedy, for Salcedo, both beauty and labor are part of her point. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak
  1. say
  2. talk
  3. tell
  4. lecture
  5. utter
  6. discuss
  7. share
Verb
  • Grimes was questionable for Wednesday’s game, but still had swelling, Redick said, which could have affected the right-handed guard’s shooting.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Reefs bring in roughly $10 million to $12 million in annual economic benefits for the county, Adams said.
    — Henry Larson, NPR, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • Notice that response before talking yourself into the option everyone expects.
    — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026
  • In his analysis of the incident, Prescott said the two officers waited down the hallway while the social workers first attempted to talk to Everard Walker.
    — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • In the same way, Reitz in turn told Blumenthal to preserve records about his own inquiry.
    — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Owen told grand jurors about the video Paul Murdaugh recorded in which Alex Murdaugh's voice could be heard at the scene, contradicting his denials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • And what's tricky about this is Direct Instruction, the version invented by Zig, is the opposite of lecturing.
    — Belinda Luscombe, Time, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This is how a senior diplomat can lecture British bureaucrats about North Korea’s victimhood one day and then flee North Korea with his entire family a few weeks later.
    — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • People are rolling the dice on outcomes, turnout, even what words candidates might utter on the campaign trail.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • All of which is to say, some of the ’90s slang collected by the students at UCLA may very well have been uttered by Marymount students.
    — Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of utter
Verb
  • Senior officials have discussed additional airstrikes and presented the president with several options.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The veteran luxury executive was discussing the IFM’s 40th anniversary, and argued that its teaching across business, design and artisanal know-how makes the Paris fashion school unique — and uniquely powerful.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • In the first 6 months of 2026, 236 people were arrested and detained by immigration enforcement inside Kansas City, according to non-custodial arrest data from the Department of Homeland Security shared by the Deportation Data Project.
    — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Some office workers rely on Microsoft’s suite of applications for practically everything – emails, meetings, AI, creating spreadsheets, and writing and sharing documents.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026
Definition of share

Phrases Containing speak

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speak
speakable
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Cite this Entry

“Speak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speak. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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