speak up

verb

spoke up; spoken up; speaking up; speaks up

intransitive verb

1
: to speak loudly and distinctly
2
: to express an opinion freely
speak up for truth and justiceClive Bell

Examples of speak up in a Sentence

she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings
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.
Such misunderstandings can lead to... Post Buy Copies Psychological safety, which means having an environment where people feel safe to speak up, was once an obscure term in psychology and management research. Amy C. Edmondson and Michaela J. Kerrissey, Harvard Business Review, 9 Apr. 2025 This dependence might explain why US CEOs tread carefully while speaking up on political and contentious policy issues. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 For instance, you may feel called to speak up at work or within a social endeavor, but fear how others will perceive you. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025 Former University of Pennsylvania transgender swimmer Lia Thomas recently spoke up in support of the trans athlete community as most Americans have become opposed to trans inclusion in women's sports. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for speak up

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of speak up was in 1681

Cite this Entry

“Speak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speak%20up. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

speak up

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on speak up

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