speak-out

1 of 2

noun

: an event in which people publicly share their experiences of or views on an issue

speak out

2 of 2

verb

spoke out; spoken out; speaking out; speaks out

intransitive verb

1
: to speak loud enough to be heard
2
: to speak boldly : express an opinion frankly
spoke out on the issues

Examples of speak-out in a Sentence

Verb it's a free country, so anyone can speak out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
Over the weekend, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who had polio as a child, spoke out in defense of the polio vaccine after a recent report disclosed that one of Kennedy’s advisors filed a petition to revoke approval for the polio vaccine in 2022. Michelle L. Price and Adriana Gomez Licon, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024 On Friday night, President-elect Donald Trump spoke out in favor of shooting down the mysterious drones if necessary, while suggesting that the Biden administration was withholding information about the sightings. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 15 Dec. 2024 The fiancé of Ellen Greenberg, whose 2011 death from more than 20 stab wounds was ruled a suicide, is speaking out for the first time. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 14 Dec. 2024 Daniel Penny speaks out after being found not guilty in NYC subway chokehold death Passengers said Neely hadn't touched anyone but had expressed willingness to die, go to jail or even to kill. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for speak-out 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1968, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speak-out was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near speak-out

Cite this Entry

“Speak-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speak-out. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

speak out

verb
1
: to speak loudly and clearly
2
: to speak freely and confidently
was never afraid to speak out on the issues
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