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 History is full of examples of officers who also spoke up about the ethics and strategic implications of the president’s choices. Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoke up
Verb
  • The staff member leading the group says the man cussed at them, shouted derogatory names and continued to reference guns.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • The Storm put out an apology after a team co-owner allegedly shouted insults at the girls during the game.
    Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Verb
  • In a 2023 appearance on the podcast Lipstick on the Rim, Cameron Diaz spoke out in favor of unconventional living arrangements.
    Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In February of this year, Welch's attorney asked the legislative inspector general to investigate after two other state lawmakers spoke out against Benton.
    Lauren Victory, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Birdie cried and slept and cried, then woke to an oily splotch on the pillowcase.
    Rachel Yoder, New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2026
  • At first site, Peters met Moses at the car door and both embraced and cried.
    Liz Crawford, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • On the one hand, Friedman himself, and Walter himself, and Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts and a cast of heroes talked up a three-peat at last year’s championship celebration.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026
  • George Chan | Getty Images Microsoft on Monday talked up a new artificial intelligence model for spotting cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
    Jordan Novet, CNBC, 27 July 2026
Verb
  • After several bystanders jumped into the water to try and help, Williams yelled at them to get back to shore.
    Tim Fang, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Instead, Lola was allowed to run around barking at a grizzly while her owners repeatedly yelled her name and continued filming.
    Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 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
  • During the Central Florida Media Day for Orange and Osceola counties on Saturday at 407 Sports in Ocoee, several veteran coaches sounded off on the subject.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
  • From new faces, such as Florida’s Jon Sumrall and Arkansas’ Ryan Silverfield, to old foes, such as Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and South Carolina’s Shane Beamer, SEC coaches sounded off on the Bulldogs.
    Connor Riley, AJC.com, 24 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Spoke up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoke%20up. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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