SPEAKING UP Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

speaking up 1 of 2

adjective

as in speaking out

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Dissimilar Words

speaking up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of speak up

as in spouting (off)

to voice one's opinions freely with force she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 speaking up

Verb

Survivors can face public skepticism and harassment in speaking up; oftentimes they are blamed for the violence that harmed them. — Michele Decker, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026 That meant speaking up, following the action and keeping his energy from slipping when somebody else had the ball. — C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026 Later that month, two teenage supporters attended a Fever-Storm game at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and carrying a sign thanking Cunningham for speaking up for girls. — Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 When people feel comfortable speaking up, different perspectives become an advantage. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Decades of management research tie psychological safety to important outcomes for both workers and organizations, including learning, creativity and speaking up. — Vanessa M. Conzon, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 Child Mind Institute guidance on communicating with teenagers emphasizes listening, validating feelings and creating space where kids feel safe speaking up. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 Power dynamics, hierarchy and fear can all prevent people from speaking up, especially within male groups. — Katie Hurley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026 For patients, speaking up about changes in the skin can be important both during treatment and before a cancer diagnosis. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up

Adjective

Marshall’s campaign has claimed without evidence that the Democratic nominee bussed in the vocal audience members.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Its warped vocal harmonies are ripe and sour, including guest appearances from the band’s friends, and off-kilter squiggles on steel guitar deviate from their usual pattern.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of vocal

Verb

Combat sequences, set in the Pacific theater and filmed in Australia, look expansive and authentic, weaving around hundreds of soldiers running and shouting and shooting at once.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The most common type was verbal abuse, including shouting or swearing, which 34% of retail respondents experienced.

— Andrew Adam Newman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shouting

Verb

When a small raptor center in Southern California began caring for the most famous bald eagle on Earth, the keyboard veterinarians started piping up.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Younger Republican voters and GOP contrarians are piping up to challenge the broad consensus in the Republican Party that has been in lockstep with policy on Israel.

— Kristina Karisch, The Hill, 19 Aug. 2025

Definition of piping up

Verb

Elaine Hendrix is sounding off about Tuesday’s shocking elimination on Dancing With the Stars season 35.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Sep. 2026
Vocalization increases, with more bulls sounding off as the rut approaches; the peak is generally considered to be the last two weeks of September.

— Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of sounding off

Verb

In 2015, she was suspended for a week after a video surfaced of her yelling at and belittling a towing company employee.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Officers are then heard yelling again, but the car appears to move toward at least one of the officers before Foster shoots into the car, video shows.

— Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026