EXPRESS Synonyms: 230 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'express' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of express are air , broach , utter , vent , and voice . While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces. // expressed her feelings in music

Q: When is 'air' a more appropriate choice than 'express'?

In some situations, the words air and express are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention. // publicly airing their differences

Q: When would 'broach' be a good substitute for 'express'?

The meanings of broach and express largely overlap; however, broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion. // broached the subject of a divorce

Q: In what contexts can 'utter' take the place of 'express'?

While in some cases nearly identical to express , utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech. // utter a groan

Q: When can 'vent' be used instead of 'express'?

The words vent and express can be used in similar contexts, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words. // a tirade venting his frustration

Q: Where would 'voice' be a reasonable alternative to 'express'?

The synonyms voice and express are sometimes interchangeable, but voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words. // an editorial voicing their concerns

express 1 of 3

verb

ik-ˈspres

Definition of express

as in to voice

to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) in a true democracy, a person can freely express his or her views

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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to squeeze

to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of except as a fun event at festivals, nowadays people do not make wine by expressing grapes with their feet

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as in to signify

to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind an upraised thumb is now universally recognized as a gesture expressing approval or encouragement

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to say

to convey in appropriate or telling terms could you express your opinion of the book in words a little more precise than "lousy"?

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as in to embody

to represent in visible form towering spires express in glass and steel the optimism of the age

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express

2 of 3

adjective

as in specific

of a particular or exact sort a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explicit

so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning students are not allowed to leave the grounds during school hours unless they have express permission from the principal's office

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

express

3 of 3

noun

British

as in messenger

one that carries a message or does an errand the solicitors employ an express to deliver their summonses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word express distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of express are air, broach, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When is air a more appropriate choice than express?

In some situations, the words air and express are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When would broach be a good substitute for express?

The meanings of broach and express largely overlap; however, broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

In what contexts can utter take the place of express?

While in some cases nearly identical to express, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When can vent be used instead of express?

The words vent and express can be used in similar contexts, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

Where would voice be a reasonable alternative to express?

The synonyms voice and express are sometimes interchangeable, but voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

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 express

Verb

As the outbreak stretched to a month, CDC officials expressed concerns, asking how anyone would know if a worker had been infected if they weren’t getting tested. — Nat Lash, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026 This assures the person who expresses gratitude that no imposition was involved. — Valerie Fridland, Time, 26 Oct. 2026

Adjective

Most government seizures are made through mail and express-courier services, rather than through shipping containers, and many of the shipments originate in China and Hong Kong. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 5 Oct. 2026 An express or implied agreement may alter the terms of the employment relationship. — William Jones, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for express

Recent Examples of Synonyms for express

Verb

Mental health experts have voiced concerns about chatbots’ sycophancy, lack of clinical nuance, and ability to reinforce delusional beliefs.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Trump’s discordant message with one of the top concerns voters are voicing ahead of the midterm elections has seemed heightened by his fixation on beautifying Washington and building a large ballroom at the White House.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of voice

Verb

Michelin Bib Gourmand Charlotte’s beloved Lang Van retained its Bib Gourmand designation, named after the Michelin man mascot Bibendum that’s meant to signify diners can get a high-quality meal at a great value.

— Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
Organized crime helped build up Las Vegas, and a body stuffed in a barrel was known to signify a mob killing.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of signify

Verb

What employers are doing Kostka says there have recently been fewer health insurers in her area to choose from.

— Alana Semuels, Time, 22 Oct. 2026
Hamilton, in response, said that his church changed its policies in response to the scandal and eventually turned the matter over to police.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

The richest man in America, Elon Musk, has also at times appeared to have the thinnest skin, and embodies a generation of tech figures obsessed by what strangers say about them on social media.

— Ben Smith, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
The results are most effective when the lyrics are tight and embody the colorful feelings that Greene’s music often evokes.

— Kiana Mickles, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of embody

Adjective

That website works great in the demo—under specific conditions and without users with thumbs for fingers.

— Brian Jenney, IEEE Spectrum, 23 Oct. 2026
But rather than any of her contemporaries, one specific anecdote from Jensen’s school years seems like the most apt context for the measured wandering on Jazz dreams.

— Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

Many of them make explicit content and are thus often rejected by mainstream banks.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
The next president may well also have more power to purchase equity stakes; legislation moving through the Senate would give the Pentagon explicit legal authority to do so.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

Jill’s approach to being First Lady was to act as Joe’s lead messenger, and this suited Bernal, who had gained his knowledge of policy indirectly as a scheduler and advance man.

— Azadeh Moaveni, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
The medications work by blocking certain chemical messengers in the part of the brain that regulates body temperature and manages sleep/wake cycles, according to the guidance.

— Shannon Firth, NPR, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of messenger

Cite this Entry

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“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/express. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of express

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noun

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