as in speaking up
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in spouting (off)
to voice one's opinions freely with force
it's a free country, so anyone can speak out
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 speaking out
Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
The family of 21-year-old Dustin DeWitt is speaking out after he was killed in a stabbing in downtown Sacramento on Monday night.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Two days after his death was announced by Captain Rick Shelford, his sister Mackenzie Meadows is speaking out.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
Shia LaBeouf is speaking out after being arrested in New Orleans over an alleged altercation amid Mardi Gras celebrations in the city.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson also visits South Africa speaking out against apartheid.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Lorde joins a growing list of musicians speaking out against ICE and its agents’ actions in Minneapolis and the United States at large.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
As the Beckham family drama continues to unfold, a former hairstylist of Brooklyn Beckham’s wife, Nicola Peltz, is speaking out about her alleged mean-girl behavior behind the scenes.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Universal Images Group via Getty Images Other artists have responded by speaking out.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
The intense scrutiny on student walkouts thrust young people into new roles navigating the pitfalls, logistics and emotional debate of speaking out on a divisive political topic.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
The family of 21-year-old Dustin DeWitt is speaking out after he was killed in a stabbing in downtown Sacramento on Monday night.
—Conor McGill, CBS News, 4 Mar. 2026
Two days after his death was announced by Captain Rick Shelford, his sister Mackenzie Meadows is speaking out.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Mar. 2026
Shia LaBeouf is speaking out after being arrested in New Orleans over an alleged altercation amid Mardi Gras celebrations in the city.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Jackson also visits South Africa speaking out against apartheid.
—Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Lorde joins a growing list of musicians speaking out against ICE and its agents’ actions in Minneapolis and the United States at large.
—Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
As the Beckham family drama continues to unfold, a former hairstylist of Brooklyn Beckham’s wife, Nicola Peltz, is speaking out about her alleged mean-girl behavior behind the scenes.
—Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Universal Images Group via Getty Images Other artists have responded by speaking out.
—R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking out
Verb
-
Is this happening in other agencies, with state employees fearful of speaking up and potentially losing their jobs, as was the fate of the DHS whistleblower?—
Steve Arentz,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Mar. 2026
-
And that’s precisely why the American Dental Association is speaking up.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But critics of bell-to-bell bans are just as vocal.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Country singers impressed, as did the unique vocal stylings of dementia-care aide Brooks Rosser, who is all but certain to be among the last standing in the competition.—
Shirley Halperin,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
From the get-go, Vespaio was incredibly kind and communicative when planning our rehearsal dinner.—
Matthew Odam,
Austin American Statesman,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The steering, though somewhat isolated due to the car’s grand-touring disposition, feels communicative enough to enable and encourage rather spirited cornering.—
Basem Wasef,
Robb Report,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Giddey stopped, the ball cradled in his palm, shouting while jerking his hand in the rough direction of his intended pass.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Her documentation concluded with a panicked scene of her and other civilians shouting in fear as drones flew overhead.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While the recent renovation shines throughout the property, the pool is on the smaller side—perfect for a quick refresh, though guests seeking a more expansive swim in San Antonio’s summer heat may want to plan around it.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The museum’s founders, Mark and Janet Hilbert, seeded the Chapman University museum from their own expansive collection, and Mark Hilbert regularly treats patrons to tours.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Repeatedly talking up the need for consolidation on today’s Banijay group call about the deal, which has created an $8B production group, Banijay Group CEO François Riahi responded to reports in the French press that Banijay is still looking at the ITV production arm.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
4 Mar. 2026
-
But talking up those benefits, like reminders of plastic’s role in medicine, is a way of focusing attention on its positive uses while ignoring the many wasteful ones.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Now Harwich Select Board members are sounding off against the tax, arguing that the measure wouldn’t solve the region’s housing crisis, but rather, increase the Cape’s cost of living.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
3 Mar. 2026
-
In what's become an annual rite in Rhode Island, consumers are once again sounding off about the state's high winter utility costs.—
Alex Kuffner,
The Providence Journal,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In another video, Johnson picked up a second infant and held a cloth to the baby’s mouth and nose for several seconds while the child was crying.—
Nick Ferraro,
Twin Cities,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In crying because you were moved by a piece of music?—
Charles Yu,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20out. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
