express

1 of 4

verb

ik-ˈspres

expressed; expressing; expresses

Synonyms of express next

transitive verb

: to represent in words : state

: to make known the opinions or feelings of (oneself)

: to give expression to the artistic or creative impulses or abilities of (oneself)

: to give or convey a true impression of : show, reflect

: to represent by a sign or symbol : symbolize

: delineate, depict

: to send by express

: to force out (something, such as the juice of a fruit) by pressure

: to subject to pressure so as to extract something

: to cause (a gene) to manifest its effects in the phenotype

also : to manifest or produce (a character, molecule, or effect) by a genetic process

expresser noun

expressible

ik-ˈspre-sə-bəl

adjective

express

2 of 4

adjective

ex·press

: directly, firmly, and explicitly stated

my express orders

: exact, precise

: of a particular sort : specific

for that express purpose

: designed for or adapted to its purpose

: traveling at high speed

specifically : traveling with few or no stops along the way

express train

: designed or intended to be used for fast movement or travel

an express highway with few local exits

the express lane at the supermarket

c(1)

: delivered faster than usual

an express shipment

(2)

British : designated to be delivered without delay by special messenger

express

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noun

a(1)

: a system for the prompt and safe transportation of parcels, money, or goods at rates higher than standard freight charges

(2)

: a company operating such a merchandise freight service

British : a messenger sent on a special errand

British : a dispatch conveyed by a special messenger

British : special delivery

: an express vehicle

express

4 of 4

adverb

: by express

delivered express

obsolete : expressly

Choose the Right Synonym for express

Verb

express, vent, utter, voice, broach, air mean to make known what one thinks or feels.

express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

Adjective

explicit, definite, express, specific mean perfectly clear in meaning.

explicit implies such verbal plainness and distinctness that there is no need for inference and no room for difficulty in understanding.

explicit instructions

definite stresses precise, clear statement or arrangement that leaves no doubt or indecision.

the law is definite in such cases

express implies both explicitness and direct and positive utterance.

her express wishes

specific applies to what is precisely and fully treated in detail or particular.

two specific criticisms

Example Sentences

Verb He expressed an interest in meeting her. She expressed surprise at his rude behavior. The results can be expressed as a percentage. The length, expressed in centimeters, is 29. They expressed the package to us. Adjective the express lane at the grocery store a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk Noun He sent the package to us by express. He takes the express to work. Adverb They sent the package express. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Pinterest NBC News’ investigation comes as lawmakers express growing concern about children’s safety on the internet. —

Jesselyn Cook, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2023 Art became the tool to articulate what language could never express, permission to cultivate my own definition of self. —

Women's Health, 8 Mar. 2023 Over 200 users responded to express their grievances, many of the complaints related to bad drivers, a lack of public transportation and the heat. —

Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 7 Mar. 2023 Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner took to Twitter to express his disapproval of the policy change. —

Renee Yan, Chron, 5 Mar. 2023 Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and finding the right words to express gratitude to your mom or mother-like figure in your life can feel overwhelming. —

Angela Belt, House Beautiful, 2 Mar. 2023 On the conservative side, only Barrett and Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked questions that seemed to express any doubt about the state plaintiffs’ case. —

Celeste K. Carruthers, The Conversation, 1 Mar. 2023 Venus, your ruling planet, now in Aries, induces you to keep a somewhat low profile and to express your altruistic side. —

Katharine Merlin, Town & Country, 1 Mar. 2023 Many fans of Bailey’s were quick to express their disappointment and anger online at her for deciding to work with Brown. —

Hanna Phifer, refinery29.com, 28 Feb. 2023

Adjective

After all, systems are designed by coaches with the express purpose of stripping the game of as much spontaneity as possible. —

Rory Smith, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2023 Much of the land was initially acquired in the 19th century with the express purpose of being available to any cattle rancher for grazing, free of charge. —

Diego Lasarte, Quartz, 23 Feb. 2023 In fact, some users take psychedelics for the express purpose of making their brain a little more malleable. —

Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2023 The Venom F5 was introduced back in 2020 with the express purpose of breaking the 300-mph barrier and becoming the world’s fastest production vehicle. —

Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 9 Jan. 2023 In early 2022, news got out that Sony was creating a joint venture with Honda with the express purpose of mass producing and selling electric vehicles. —

Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 5 Jan. 2023 But one with the express purpose of tracing your brood’s roots overseas? —

Matthew Kronsberg, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2022 The works owned by NuScale Power, LLC may not be copied or used to create derivative works without NuScale’s express permission. —

WIRED, 27 Feb. 2023 Track online mentions and impersonations of your brand without your express consent. —

Keith Goldstein, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022

Noun

Too, a commentary on TikTok bullying, a simple legal issue obscured by sensationalism, or an example of the hot-take express at work. —

Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2022 What is earth-shattering, at least for Sunseeker fans, is the return of the Superhawk 55, an open-style express that has had performance in its DNA since Sunseeker debuted the Superhawk 34 back in 1997. —

Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 12 Jan. 2023 Only priority mail express will be delivered those days, according to the office's holiday schedule. —

Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2022 For medications that need to be refrigerated, the Madison, Wis.-based company uses pricier next-day air or express-delivery services. —

Esther Fung, WSJ, 24 Oct. 2022 Later on, Lance McIlhenny — the quarterback who commanded the express — is seen, as well. —

Dallas News, 9 Sep. 2022 However, these accounts do feature direct deposit express, which allows for receiving pay up to two days in advance. —

Mia Taylor, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2022 The punishments came as a result of then-UK assistant coach Dwane Casey reportedly sending money to the father of Chris Mills, an All-American from Fairfax (Calif.) High School, which was found in an air-express package in April 1988. —

Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 4 Nov. 2022 The final Derby took place in 1994, as a smattering of hospital staffers and patients cheered the 40 reptilian contestants, who’d been rented from a biology laboratory in New Jersey and then shipped back by overnight express. —

Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 4 Aug. 2022

Adverb

All express pleasant shock at their changed Sundays. —

Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati.com, 5 Feb. 2018 EXPRESS-BUS SOLUTION Why the Metro Gold Line is not the solution to traffic congestion in St. Paul: Congestion is primarily during rush hour and thus the solution must address commuters during typical business hours. —

Letter Writers, Twin Cities, 15 June 2017 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'express.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French espresser, from expres, adjective

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French expres, from Latin expressus, past participle of exprimere to press out, express, from ex- + premere to press — more at press

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1f

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1619, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of express was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century