as in speaking out
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
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
Preparation turns speaking up from a leap into a step.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Leaders spoke on standing strong and speaking up for equality.
—Julia Avant, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Fans need to start speaking up loudly.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
There was a lot more speaking up and gaming with certain folks, and having conversations in different rooms.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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
Preparation turns speaking up from a leap into a step.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
Leaders spoke on standing strong and speaking up for equality.
—Julia Avant, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Fans need to start speaking up loudly.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026
There was a lot more speaking up and gaming with certain folks, and having conversations in different rooms.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up
Verb
-
His decision was widely lauded, with star players such as Kobe Bryant quickly speaking out in support of Collins.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
As a representative of France, Mbappé hasn’t shied away from speaking out about the political issues at the forefront of the game.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Larsson’s vocal performance on the single was commanding, and the song’s replay value was endless.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
-
Yet McIlroy — who has been vocal in the past about LIV — is dialing back his previous criticism of the tour and remaining optimistic about the future should the league fold.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Raman has spent much of the campaign talking up her record on homelessness in her district, which stretches from Silver Lake to Reseda, pointing to a 54% reduction in the number of tents and encampments over three years.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Scott was at Neon’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas in April talking up the film.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Which is why they are now broken up, and everyone is shouting that Amanda is the worst friend since Brutus, and everyone is asking Kyle about his skin-care regimen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Last week, the former Duke of York was reportedly out walking the Queen's corgis near the Sandringham estate in Norfolk on May 6 when a masked man wearing a balaclava, or ski mask, jumped out of his parked car and started shouting at Andrew.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
12 May 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
-
Coachella Weekend 1 concluded with a historic performance by the festival’s first Latina headliner Karol G and now, attendees are sounding off online about their experiences and offering advice to Weekend 2 festivalgoers.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Journalism ethics experts are sounding off on the scandal involving Pats coach Mike Vrabel and NFL reporter Dianna Russini, as The Athletic investigates Russini’s conduct after the pair was spotted holding hands at a luxury resort.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Sometimes laughing is better than crying.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
-
Appraisal will rely on the extent of your Radiohead fandom and your identification with creature-characters, often crying or cowering with their head in their hands, who are unremittingly sad and ashamed and embarrassed by the barbarism of simple existence.—
Andy Battaglia,
ARTnews.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The videos, which surfaced in October, showed Porter yelling at a staff member and threatening to walk out of a television reporter’s interview.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 May 2026
-
On the Season 44 premiere in September 2018, Damon parodied Kavanaugh’s Senate testimony, depicting his belligerence and frequently yelling, referencing beer, among other things — using many of the actual quotes from the hearing.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Speaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20up. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
