spoke up

Definition of spoke upnext
past tense 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 spoke up After a while, a man whose son was shot to death in July spoke up. Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025 Frustrated, the guests spoke up for a second instance. Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025 A number of other political figures from Kentucky spoke up on social media after Dale's death, announced by Barr’s campaign on Christmas. Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Dec. 2025 El-Amin spoke up on civil rights and social issues in an effort to fight for justice. Dana Afana, Freep.com, 29 Oct. 2025 And yet if a player spoke up about it—or made a joke on social media—they’d be slapped with a fine from the league. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025 Skinner, who won silver in vault at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, spoke up about the issue earlier this year, and is now taking a harder stance. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025 Henrikson spoke up at several board meetings and gave interviews to multiple news outlets as the story about Rupert gained regional and national attention. Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025 This is not the first time Tatum spoke up about Hollywood’s troubles. Jack Dunn, Variety, 5 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoke up
Verb
  • In addition to luxurious cashmere joggers and the Sneex shoes celebrities can’t stop wearing, Oprah shouted out a plushy Brooklinen robe and the Skims pajamas one writer can’t get enough of.
    Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Gunfire erupted moments later as officers shouted orders from behind cover.
    Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, the star spoke out about the health scare on Instagram.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Vance spoke out on social media, expressing his gratitude to the Secret Service and Cincinnati police for responding quickly.
    Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The courtroom was full Wednesday of investigators involved over the decades and the extensive Watson family, some of whom cried audibly through the proceedings.
    Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 6 Nov. 2025
  • After Brown disappeared, the owner of the bakery, Alice Lombardi, told CBS News that customers had come into the store and cried.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In the last year or so, health influencers — and a lot of women on social media — have talked up testosterone therapy as a kind of perimenopausal panacea.
    Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025
  • While each talked up their AI strategy, analysts focused on the scale of the investments and how these plans will start translating to tangible returns.
    Alex Harring,Yun Li, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • As Clanton yelled for help, Yost got back on his feet, grabbed a lamp and waved it at Washington, the affidavit said.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 6 Jan. 2026
  • The majority of these fans yelled for Vanderbilt, and Ralph thanked them for being loud through introductions to the final minutes when the Commodores needed them most.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Republican Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz piped up in defense of Kimmel’s right to free speech without governmental interference.
    Sarah Stankorb, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • University of Arkansas basketball Coach John Calipari sounded off on the system Monday night after a 103-74 win over James Madison at Walton Arena.
    Matt Byrne, Arkansas Online, 1 Jan. 2026
  • Redick sounded off after Los Angeles dropped a third straight game, questioning his team’s effort and professionalism.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Spoke up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoke%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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