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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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"?

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to embody

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

In a scene at the beginning of Episode 8, actor Siena Agudong, who plays Sue, expresses Flanagan’s belief that sincerely openhearted people like Carrie are met with rejection and seen as alien in a world where cynicism is our default mode. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 It was further determined that microbial rhodopsins could be expressed in other cell types. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Oct. 2026

Adjective

No person’s registration should be changed without their express consent. — Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Sun Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2026 All three express satisfaction with the deal, but Trump does not respond to questions about whether his quest to acquire the territory is off the table. — ABC News, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for express

Recent Examples of Synonyms for express

Verb

Yields across much of the G7 have surged in recent months as investors fret over stubbornly high inflation and unrelenting borrowing, with economists voicing particular worry over a potential European debt crisis.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Played by the six-foot-six David Prowse and voiced with eloquence and controlled rage by James Earl Jones, Vader is a force of inescapable menace throughout George Lucas’s Star Wars trilogy.

— John Roy, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of voice

Verb

But the highlight of the spa is the infinity-edge rock pool, squeezed into a canyon between towering rock walls, with views out over the valley beyond.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
It’s being squeezed by all sorts of forces, commercial forces, corporate forces, political forces.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of squeeze

Verb

Salkar said a medico-legal case had been opened and an autopsy would follow.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of say

Verb

Much like Olivia Colman for Miu Miu’s spring 2027 show, Lyonne embodied the brand’s spirit, clad in the designer’s pieces from head to heel.

— Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 4 Oct. 2026
But the cold, analytical qualities typical of both science and documentary film give way to something tender and embodied in Johnson’s hands.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of embody

Adjective

In addition, only officers who have completed one of five specific agency training courses can conduct vehicle stops.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026
Each critic portrayed the historical monument as an object of reverence owing to age, with specific reference to the psycho-historical implications of restoration or, conversely, of neglect.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of specific

Adjective

But a separate document — a transcript of a November 2024 interview with campus police, according to WCBS — shows Doe made a more explicit accusation.

— Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
The first episode’s opening sequence seems designed to make this feature formally explicit.

— Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of explicit

Noun

Before they’re introduced at the meeting, Lowen and Jeremy have what amounts to a gruesome meet-cute on the street, when a bike messenger gets mowed down by a car in front of them and Jeremy lends Lowen his shirt because she’s covered in blood.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2026
Riz Ahmed plays Ganesh, the close scientific adviser to Digger who is actually rooted in the real world, and therefore has to be the messenger of bad news.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 29 Sep. 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 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of express

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adjective

noun

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