speaking up 1 of 2

Definition of speaking upnext

speaking up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of speak up

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
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 First goals, clean sheets and speaking up The SheBelieves Cup marks a key moment in the American soccer calendar in 2026. Emily Olsen, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 None of the American athletes speaking up right now is violating the rules. Jemele Hill, The Atlantic, 20 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up
Verb
  • Dakota Mortensen is speaking out, through a spokesperson, for the first time since police in Utah launched an investigation into domestic-violence allegations involving his ex-girlfriend, Taylor Frankie Paul.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Raskin praised Huffman for speaking out for the separation of church and state while showing respect for all religions and without attacking people for their faith.
    Alexei Koseff, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The bill doesn’t have any vocal opposition, Irwin said, but the Legislature has failed to pass it on previous occasions.
    Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
  • This is much to the chagrin of its rather vocal critics.
    Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • There’s also a mock airplane cabin on campus where students can rehearse talking up executives during a flight.
    Anne M. Peterson, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Banijay was last week talking up its AI capabilites after merging with All3Media.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • At one point, Jordan is visibly chuffed as those around him start shouting his name.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Jordan says, shouting out his parents.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • Key center backs Cristian Romero and Van de Ven kept getting sent off, with the former sounding off multiple times in public about Spurs as a club and was disciplined internally.
    Joe Prince-Wright, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • In the mouth of a master like Goncharov, crying foul at the sight—or, at any rate, the perception—of plagiarism acquires an astounding verve.
    Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Burnight went through grief, fear and lots of crying and finally realized that focusing on herself got her nowhere.
    Helen Dennis, Daily News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Travelers are heard yelling at the federal and police officers, as the ICE agents placed the woman in a wheelchair and pushed her away from the area.
    Noe Padilla, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
  • One of the new roommates called 911 because Slate was yelling so loudly, but then canceled the call, believing Slate had left, Pekara said.
    Tara Molina, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Speaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20up. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster