as in speaking out
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Dissimilar Words
as in spouting (off)
to voice one's opinions freely with force
she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speaking up
Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Shame was a big factor preventing people from speaking up, as victims expressed embarrassment or guilt.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Many students on the Greenwich Village campus have been speaking up in support of the faculty.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The bigger repercussion of not speaking up is losing yourself.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
While leaders debate the State of the Union this week, student advocates like me are speaking up for the State of the Kids with Save the Children Action Network.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, his speaking up lead producers to revise the way the character was written once Jordan took over — a change Jordan credits to his Black Panther costar.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Why speaking up about cost matters When one of us took our child to the doctor for pink eye, the pediatrician quickly sent a prescription for antibiotic drops to the pharmacy.
—Deidre Popovich, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
Shame was a big factor preventing people from speaking up, as victims expressed embarrassment or guilt.
—Kim Key, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Many students on the Greenwich Village campus have been speaking up in support of the faculty.
—Christina Fan, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
The bigger repercussion of not speaking up is losing yourself.
—Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026
While leaders debate the State of the Union this week, student advocates like me are speaking up for the State of the Kids with Save the Children Action Network.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
Still, his speaking up lead producers to revise the way the character was written once Jordan took over — a change Jordan credits to his Black Panther costar.
—Ken Simmons, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up
Verb
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Though Kazakhs speaking out against China’s policies in Xinjiang have long faced pressure, advocacy groups say this is the first time such a large group of Xinjiang activists has been imprisoned in the country.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
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Four firefighters filed a federal lawsuit against Grand Blanc Township on Monday, alleging that they were punished for speaking out against an attempt to fire their fire chief after the 2025 attack at the Church of Latter-day Saints.—
Elle Meyers,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Each bringing vocal strength and sharp timing to their roles.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
13 Apr. 2026
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Members on both sides of the aisle, including many prominent Republicans, have been vocal in demanding Gonzales' expulsion or resignation.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After all, the committee and city leaders spent the last six months talking up the event.—
Lorraine Ali
News,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps in response, a Microsoft executive downplayed the company's AI focus last month while talking up major improvements to future Windows 11 updates.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While walking to her car, Penton was bombarded with insults from shouting supporters of Delgado-Garcia wearing green.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Prosecutors said Castillo refused commands from officers to move away and was shouting at the agents.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Younger Republican voters and GOP contrarians are piping up to challenge the broad consensus in the Republican Party that has been in lockstep with policy on Israel.—
Kristina Karisch,
The Hill,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Irate Miami diners have been sounding off about rising costs — from $20 cocktails to automatic service charges — for quite a while.—
Miami Herald Staff,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
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Some of the most influential names in business have been sounding off on exactly that, and their answers might make younger generations reconsider a traditional path.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Men stood beside the bus crying before the burial procession in al-Sour town, as mourners gathered to offer condolences.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
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During an interview with Vanity Fair at Grimes's home, Exa, who was in another room, started crying, which led to the birth announcement.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Police said that people in the area heard the woman yelling for help and called 911.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Masked agents then forced their way in and pointed guns at the family, yelling at them, Thao recalled.—
Mark Vancleave,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20up. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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