spoke up

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 As the album circulated, country elders spoke up regarding even bigger Q hits, and a fuller picture of his catalog emerged. Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 1 June 2026 But not one of them spoke up during the meeting so the meeting moved forward. Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 Jack Osbourne spoke up in defense of the AI avatar of Ozzy Osbourne that was announced last week. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 26 May 2026 The Fever were in the midst of putting together a win against the Seattle Storm on Sunday when Scott spoke up after LaChina Robinson mentioned in the fourth quarter that Clark was responsible for 38 of the Fever’s points with under 10 minutes to play. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026 And then Morton spoke up, and told them no more crying. Luca Evans, Denver Post, 13 May 2026 One of the people who spoke up was Leonard Wheeler, a former Carolina Panther who now works for the NFL. Alex Zietlow, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 May 2026 One of the people who spoke up was Leonard Wheeler, a former Carolina Panther who now works for the NFL. Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026 In March, Grohl spoke up about the aftermath of his announcement in an interview with The Guardian. Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoke up
Verb
  • Appearing on the late-night show ahead of their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, the Staten Island group donned Knicks gear and repeatedly shouted out to New York City during their performance.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026
  • Goldberg shouted after Navarro attempted to continue a question before a commercial break.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • In the years after Buffy, Brendon, who did not have any kids, spoke out about struggling with depression as well as alcohol and substance addictions, checking into rehab between multiple arrests, including for domestic violence charges and prescription fraud.
    Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
  • That same year, however, Ozzy’s mistress and former hairdresser, Michelle Pugh, spoke out publicly about their four-year affair.
    Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Freeman visibly cried as the victim’s father, along with the slain youth’s longtime girlfriend and younger brother, gave statements, too, the mother said.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
  • Savannah Guthrie cried while discussing her return to Today on Jenna & Sheinelle.
    Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • The high wattage that packed the ballroom included actors (Jeremy Renner introduced his friend Afanasieff, Jane Seymour talked up the careers of Britten and Lyle) and one very famous director, Steven Spielberg, who helped close out the ceremony with an eloquent speech to introduce Swift.
    Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 12 June 2026
  • The Lamar Hunt sales pitch talked up the world’s game, its popularity and the favorable American demographics for growth.
    Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • But she was saved by three bystanders who yelled out, scaring him off and chasing him through the park, sources said.
    Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026
  • Chalamet yelled while courtside.
    Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
Verb
  • Before Schiraldi could respond, a second rep piped up in Richards’s defense.
    Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Garrett Tyrrell of Durango, sitting to her right, piped up.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The first thing the mayor sounded off was on some of Wemby's clothing choices.
    Amethyst Martinez, USA Today, 15 June 2026
  • Speaking of his fans, people sounded off in the comments on YouTube.
    David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spoke up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoke%20up. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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