outspoken

adjective

out·​spo·​ken ˌau̇t-ˈspō-kən 

1

: direct and open in speech or expression : frank

outspoken in his criticism

—Current Biography

2

: spoken or expressed without reserve

his outspoken advocacy of gun control

outspokenly adverb

outspokenness

ˌau̇t-ˈspō-kən-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• candid
• direct
• forthcoming
• forthright
• foursquare
• frank
• free-spoken
• freehearted
• honest
• open
• openhearted
• out-front
• plain
• plainspoken
• straight
• straightforward
• unguarded
• unreserved
• up-front

Examples of outspoken in a Sentence

She has been an outspoken advocate of women's rights throughout her life.

an outspoken and controversial radio host

She's very outspoken about political issues.

Recent Examples on the Web

The actress, whose big break came in another big musical, the remake of West Side Story, has drawn her own controversy for being a little bit outspoken, there is that. —Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 20 Mar. 2025

Duckworth, herself a disabled veteran, has been particularly outspoken, calling the Administration’s actions a betrayal. —Nik Popli, TIME, 20 Mar. 2025

Quarterback Joe Burrow has been very outspoken about his desire for Higgins to remain in Cincinnati. —Matt Levine, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

The Times mentioned how Mookie Betts skipped out on a visit in 2019 with the Boston Red Sox and remains outspoken about social justice issues, and other former Dodgers, as well as co-owners Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, have been critical of the president in the past. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1808, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for outspoken

• awoken
• betoken
• heartbroken
• unbroken
• unspoken
• broken
• oaken
• spoken
• token
• woken

Kids Definition

outspoken

adjective

out·​spo·​ken au̇t-ˈspō-kən 

: direct and open in speech or expression : frank

outspokenness

-kən-nəs 

noun