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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of speaking up
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 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
Watts said women speaking up has finally pressured the medical system to respond.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Things like regular psychological safety surveys also ensure employees feel as comfortable as possible speaking up, learning, and contributing.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance.
—Big Think, 8 May 2026
Most people move through interactions at work on autopilot, sending messages or speaking up in meetings without really thinking about their responses until afterward, says leadership coach Aiko Bethea.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 May 2026
This hesitancy and worry about speaking up is the way free speech dies.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
This could look like setting the record straight or speaking up in a meeting.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Verb
The common source is fear, to the point where people stop speaking up.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 May 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
Watts said women speaking up has finally pressured the medical system to respond.
—Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
Things like regular psychological safety surveys also ensure employees feel as comfortable as possible speaking up, learning, and contributing.
—Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance.
—Big Think, 8 May 2026
Most people move through interactions at work on autopilot, sending messages or speaking up in meetings without really thinking about their responses until afterward, says leadership coach Aiko Bethea.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 May 2026
This hesitancy and worry about speaking up is the way free speech dies.
—Literary Hub, 6 May 2026
This could look like setting the record straight or speaking up in a meeting.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up
Adjective
-
Pink is no comedian and many of the show’s bits fell flat, but the star’s fandom seemed genuine and her vocal prowess the envy of many a Tony nominee.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The 79th Annual Tony Awards were a fitting coda to the 2025–26 Broadway season, offering all the requisite nostalgia, vocal prowess, ensemble energy, and a generous amount of pelvic thrusting.—
Lea Donenberg,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
Offerman cites the support of his agency, UTA, for not steamrolling his efforts of speaking out as an artist, and backing him even when the chatter gets dark online.—
William Earl,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
Later that month, Jeff appeared at a press conference where the Anthony family was speaking out about Anthony for the first time.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Wellness influencers and social media personalities are talking up bovine colostrum as a must-have supplement to support gut health among a range of other benefits.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
1 June 2026
-
Trump has ignited various trade wars, and keeps talking up a possible conflict with Cuba.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
People shouting out stuff like, 'Guilty!—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
10 June 2026
-
As Bell was speaking to the defense, Brown began shouting, asking if the judge needed a copy of a statement from him.—
Andy Buck,
CNN Money,
9 June 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
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Mike Florio and Charean Williams discuss Knicks head coach Mike Brown sounding off on the officiating during Game 3, when the Spurs attempted 24 free throws to New York’s eight in the second half.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Shooting outside a bar near TD Garden The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association is sounding off after a shooting outside a popular bar near TD Garden sent patrons frantically searching for cover.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Fans are probably lining up for scones in hopes of spotting Ashley crying behind the counter.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
8 June 2026
-
Both Jesse and Ashley were emotionally distraught and crying throughout the video.—
Emily St. Martin,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
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People throwing cigarette butts against the house, yelling obscenities, playing derogatory music.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
-
Luck was on our side that day, no one was out yelling at us for being such crappy golfers.—
Joe Kinsey OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20up. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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