as in spoke up
to voice one's opinions freely with force
it's a free country, so anyone can speak out
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Recent Examples of spoke out
The international film community—including the Cannes, Berlin, and Venice festivals and the American Cinematheque—spoke out against these persecutions.
—
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford spoke out to criticize the Legislature for the 287(g) bill and for not working with law enforcement.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Craig specifically spoke out against a provision that would require a supermajority of board members voting together to overturn certain superintendent decisions.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
But Huerta spoke out publicly to tell her story, in an interview with the New York Times and in a statement posted online.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The petition's withdrawal is good news for the many neighbors who spoke out against the annexation.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
The ex-cohost — who publicly slammed the talk show and longtime panelist Joy Behar in early 2025 — spoke out online against problematic college fraternity practices, amid recent headlines covering notable alleged hazing instances on campuses around the country.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
North College Hill Council Member Kathy Cureton spoke out about the incident.
—Allie Hennard, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026
Residents also spoke out against the action.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
On Tuesday, Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford spoke out to criticize the Legislature for the 287(g) bill and for not working with law enforcement.
—Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 2026
Craig specifically spoke out against a provision that would require a supermajority of board members voting together to overturn certain superintendent decisions.
—Kathryn Muchnick, Louisville Courier Journal, 26 Mar. 2026
But Huerta spoke out publicly to tell her story, in an interview with the New York Times and in a statement posted online.
—Noe Padilla, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2026
The petition's withdrawal is good news for the many neighbors who spoke out against the annexation.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2026
The ex-cohost — who publicly slammed the talk show and longtime panelist Joy Behar in early 2025 — spoke out online against problematic college fraternity practices, amid recent headlines covering notable alleged hazing instances on campuses around the country.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Feb. 2026
North College Hill Council Member Kathy Cureton spoke out about the incident.
—Allie Hennard, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Feb. 2026
Residents also spoke out against the action.
—Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoke out
Verb
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Readers spoke up and delivered votes for restaurants to move on to the next round.—
Susan Selasky,
Freep.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Scherzinger then spoke up again to finish her thought.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The officers shouted overlapping commands, telling LaMorie to stop and drop the knife before firing seconds later.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
King shouted, his voice echoing.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The lawmakers say this could be a serious problem, considering federal agencies, including the FBI, have talked up the privacy benefits of using VPNs.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
-
In 2021, the real estate investment trust Seritage Growth Properties had talked up the possibility of installing as many as nine residential and office buildings on the site.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jonathan Kennedy, a tow truck operator, cried too.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Classmates held pink flowers and cried, and her grandparents thanked everyone for coming.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those who yelled were drowned out by the chanting and singing.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
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The lawsuit also said that when complaints were made about the harassment, they were not properly investigated and the employees were subject to retaliation, including being given double shifts, being accused of wrongdoing and being berated and yelled at by supervisors.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The water is piped up to the data center for liquid cooling of the servers.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Mar. 2026
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When the crowd got a chance to ask questions, a rancher piped up.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
24 Nov. 2025
Verb
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People sounded off, hearing that the Garrettford-Drexel Hill Fire Company didn't respond to any emergency calls on Wednesday night.—
Joe Holden,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Thousands have sounded off on the video.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After the fight was called, Barber lay on the canvas for a few minutes, looking around and breathing heavily, while UFC trainers evaluated her.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Les Grenadiers, as the team is often called, were in the midst of a magical run through the regional tournament that determined which teams from North America would earn a place in the 2026 World Cup.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spoke out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoke%20out. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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