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.
This pervading dogma has made young men scared to speak up, Nordean said. Will Carless, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025 Experts in workplace safety warn that increased fear among immigrants at risk of deportation could inhibit them from speaking up about health and safety threats on the job. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025 No Republican in either house has the guts to speak up on this usurpation of power? Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025 During a meeting held by the city's special events committee on Tuesday, numerous residents spoke up about the artwork, including some who accused the piece of being antisemitic. Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 5 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

speak up

verb

More from Merriam-Webster on speak up

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