as in to speak out
to voice one's opinions freely with force
she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of speak up
The 64-year-old condemned Trump targeting Latin communities and called for others to speak up.
—
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Americans who treasure what has truly made our country great — a secular Constitution that keeps religion out of our laws and social policies — must speak up to safeguard democracy for ourselves and future generations.
—Annie Laurie Gaylor, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
But in December 2024, after receiving a $40 manicure, the manicurist offered her only a $10 discount, and Giannini realized enough was enough and decided to speak up.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Several times during our interview, one of us had to speak up to be heard over the clanging of this or banging of that.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for speak up 
Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 31 Jan. 2025
Americans who treasure what has truly made our country great — a secular Constitution that keeps religion out of our laws and social policies — must speak up to safeguard democracy for ourselves and future generations.
—Annie Laurie Gaylor, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2025
But in December 2024, after receiving a $40 manicure, the manicurist offered her only a $10 discount, and Giannini realized enough was enough and decided to speak up.
—Jordan Greene, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025
Several times during our interview, one of us had to speak up to be heard over the clanging of this or banging of that.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 27 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for speak up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak up
Verb
-
This is Boss Alexander and Rose’s first time speaking out about Holker’s memoir.—
Justin Curto,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Public support swelled; celebrities including Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry spoke out in favor of the group.—
Anna Russell,
The New Yorker,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Watch Goldberg shout for Haines to come down from The View tower in the video above.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
8 Feb. 2025
-
As Robinson spoke, or tried to speak, Butler shouted from across the locker room to Robinson that Robinson didn’t have to talk, wasn’t required to do the interview.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
On March 20, 2006, Tanya cried at work and told Joe that her real name was Tanya Kach, not Nikki Allen and that Hose had been holding her captive.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Of those, 16 percent admitted weeping over someone eating their last slice, while 13 percent had cried over a pizza delivery order coming in wrong, and 12 percent had cried over their favorite pizza restaurant closing down.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In a Spain at the Forefront showcase, 10 Spanish producers making up a Producers Program will talk up their companies and current projects.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
-
But Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce was canned in early January, and Lynn kept talking up USC’s progress and his roster, Ryan recalled.—
Luca Evans,
Orange County Register,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
At one point, the situation escalated when the passenger began yelling loudly and incoherently.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Natalie then continued to yell at Josh as Florian escorted her away from the conversation.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
By the numbers: Just 39% of Democrats approve of celebrities piping up on political issues — but only 11% of Republicans and 12% of independents (24% for the whole sample).—
Noah Bressner,
Axios,
27 Dec. 2024
-
But then a little voice called financial reality piped up.—
Steven Zeitchik,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Star reporter Lisa Gutierrez and Inquirer reporter Beatrice Forman sound off on the Eagles’ and Chiefs’ best pregame fits.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Feb. 2025
-
President Donald Trump sounded off about the crash on Truth Social.—
Alex Nitzberg,
Fox News,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near speak up
Cite this Entry
“Speak up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speak%20up. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share