SPEAK UP Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

speak up

verb

Definition of speak up

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 Letter writer was terrified by friend’s constant phone use in the car — but only got mocked for speaking up. — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 Thurman was also quick to speak up about how the set environment has been one of the better she’s experienced in her career. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026 Duhamel believes the stigma is finally lifting as more celebrities and public figures speak up. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 Cat Uden, a longtime resident who has opposed the project from the beginning, spoke up again Wednesday night. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speak up

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak up

Verb

Professional dancer Emma Slater is speaking out in defense of boyfriend Alan Bersten.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2026
Israel’s president and several opposition politicians also spoke out against the attack.

— Koral Saeed, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of speak out

Verb

Lil’ Randy shouts repeatedly as he is hauled off, a great ending to a pretty great episode.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
The drunk-and-disorderly charge is linked to a December incident, in which Minton is accused of shouting and cursing at patrons of a tattoo studio in Hickory, court records show.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

Among them were a parent at her daughter’s school who recognized her on account of her voice alone and a dad on an airplane whose baby had been crying non-stop for over an hour.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Another girl cried non-stop—possibly from fear and nervousness rather than sorrow.

— Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of cry

Verb

The president talked up Jackson and Senate candidate Mike Collins as part of the White House effort to boost GOP enthusiasm in the upcoming elections.

— DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Like China, Russia has talked up the prospect of its own Starlink alternative for several years, but the program was accelerated earlier this year when SpaceX cut off Russian access to Starlink.

— Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of talk up

Verb

During one middle school mariachi practice, an instructor encourages a girl to come out of her shell and yell excitedly.

— Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
The HomeView can also share intercom-style broadcasts to any other room equipped with smart speakers, sparing you the need to yell up the stairs when dinner is ready.

— Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of yell

Verb

Multiple season-ticket holders sounded off on season-ticket deadlines, saying in the past they were required to begin 25% payments in December to receive the perk of 20 free tickets for certain games.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Fans of Wetzel were quick to sound off in the comments section with plenty of reactions.

— David Hookstead OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026