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 justice …

—Clive Bell

Synonyms of speak up

• speak out
• shout
• cry
• talk up
• yell
• pipe up
• spout (off)
• sound off

Examples of speak up in a Sentence

she's never been afraid to speak up at town meetings

Recent Examples on the Web

There are many reasons why women do not feel able to speak up, with the top one, at 52 percent, being their not wanting to burden others. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 8 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

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for speak up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

speak up

verb

: speak out