SPEAKING UP Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

speaking up 1 of 2

adjective

as in speaking out

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

speaking up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of speak up

as in spouting (off)

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

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 up

Verb

Rather than treating speaking up as an all-or-nothing leap, this approach breaks team communication down into three manageable levels, each one raising the stakes slightly while lowering the barrier to entry. — Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Yet Haitians have built lives here, often with the support of neighbors, nonprofits and churches – groups speaking up as the community prepares for the end of TPS. — Gina Perez, The Conversation, 21 July 2026 And, with Lipa speaking up, the opposition now has a powerful ally, according to The Guardian and the Daily Beast. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 16 July 2026 Stress that their devices won’t be taken away as a result, and they won’t be punished for speaking up. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 2 July 2026 The affiliation between Aquarius and the Sklarian Raiders is immense because both will never stop speaking up to assert messages that upend the status quo. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026 Consider speaking up in a meeting and stating a clear boundary with a co-worker, using steady words that match your actions for the rest of the day. — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026 Instead of pushing through pain and not speaking up for fear they'll be labeled weak or a complainer, this generation is more inclined to listen to their bodies, advocate for themselves, and address the issue through the proper resources. — Sarah Scott, Parents, 10 June 2026 Rehearsals for a Revolution is a cautionary tale about speaking up in a place where rebellion can cost you your livelihood, and quite possibly your life. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up

Adjective

The former clerk has also been a vocal defender of Kansas City’s new congressional district, which Republicans redrew last year.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026
Today, Hadley is a vocal advocate for survivors of domestic violence.

— Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of vocal

Verb

Damola Adamolekun, the youngest CEO the chain restaurant has ever seen at 37 years old, acknowledges the company's storied history with celebrity, and has been talking up the brand since taking over.

— Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Since Anthropic began offering glimpses of their Mythos model earlier this year, critics have slammed the company for allegedly building hype by talking up how dangerous the model could be in the wrong hands.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of talking up

Verb

Relief pitcher Caleb Ferguson was not happy, shouting obscenities at the umpire and ripping him for his appearance.

— Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2026
Chappell likens it to a room shouting at you—too many patterns can look turbulent rather than playful, bold, and curated.

— Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Definition of shouting

Verb

Instead, the calls were about, for example, a homeless person who fell asleep in a store, a person who seemed confused in a public park, and someone who was yelling at passersby on the street.

— Scott Maucione, NPR, 27 July 2026
An intruder allegedly confronted Craig, yelling racial slurs.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026