SPEAK UP Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

speak up

verb

Definition of speak up

as in to speak out

to voice one's opinions freely with force she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 speak up Coach Powers's departure should not limit his cooperation or anyone else's, and the players who have spoken up must be protected. — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026 Child Mind Institute guidance on communicating with teenagers emphasizes listening, validating feelings and creating space where kids feel safe speaking up. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The singer has also spoken up on LGBTQ+ rights, among other concerns. — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 Power dynamics, hierarchy and fear can all prevent people from speaking up, especially within male groups. — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speak up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak up

Verb

Professional dancer Emma Slater is speaking out in defense of boyfriend Alan Bersten.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2026
Israel’s president and several opposition politicians also spoke out against the attack.

— Koral Saeed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of speak out

Verb

Hollywell nods in agreement, and shouts out all the graffiti artists and other creatives who are still nearby.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

Among them were a parent at her daughter’s school who recognized her on account of her voice alone and a dad on an airplane whose baby had been crying non-stop for over an hour.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Another girl cried non-stop—possibly from fear and nervousness rather than sorrow.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of cry

Verb

The president talked up Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins as part of the White House effort to boost GOP enthusiasm in the upcoming elections.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Like China, Russia has talked up the prospect of its own Starlink alternative for several years, but the program was accelerated earlier this year when SpaceX cut off Russian access to Starlink.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of talk up

Verb

Moshier remembers when the team stopped at a fast-food restaurant on a road trip and Murphy yelled for everyone to get back to the bus.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026
Hill yelled at Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson after Wilson was accidentally knocked into him during Minnesota's game against Miami.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of yell

Verb

Ida Mae Cullen, the peppery widow of poet Countee Cullen, pipes up to remind the group, vigorously, that the Harlem Renaissance really lasted for just one decade, the 1920s, though its ripples began years before and resonated for decades after.

— Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
But remarks made last week by Bruce Brown, an eight-year NBA veteran fighting for a roster spot with the New York Knicks, garnered enough attention online that the league piped up.

— Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of pipe up

Verb

Here, the athlete sounds off on the secrets to success in beach volleyball, the women’s sports surge and SoCal style.

— Katie Abel, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
Multiple season-ticket holders sounded off on season-ticket deadlines, saying in the past they were required to begin 25% payments in December to receive the perk of 20 free tickets for certain games.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026