SPOKEN Synonyms: 120 Similar and Opposite Words

spoken 1 of 2

adjective

ˈspō-kən

Definition of spoken

as in oral

made or carried on through speaking rather than in writing a spoken agreement is too easily broken

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uttered

expressed or communicated by voice a politician who knows the power of the spoken word

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spoken

2 of 2

verb

past participle of speak

as in said

to express (a thought or emotion) in words finally spoke her fears

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in talked

to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 spoken

Adjective

O’Connell, a soft-spoken man with a keen eye for detail, previously taught woodworking at North Kansas City High School for 27 years while flipping houses during the summers. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026 Early versions included spoken dialogue between the sisters at the center of the story. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Verb

Some of the stories are just spoken matter-of-factly, while others are acted out with Jaku doing all the voices. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026 The two later spoke in Gujarati, the language predominantly spoken by people from India’s western state of Gujarat, which is where Modi is from. — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoken

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoken

Adjective

In contrast, a decision on the merits is typically worked on for months after full briefing and lengthy oral arguments.

— Nina Totenberg, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026
The high court will hear oral arguments on the case, but not until December, meaning a decision will come next year.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of oral

Adjective

For all their speed-to-market and trend obsessions, fashion companies struggle to update the systems and materials that go into their products, meaning churn reigns and improvements are consigned to that oft-uttered utopian destination known as ‘when there’s time’.

— Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Each line encourages a body to shift when uttered or even when read silently to oneself.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026

Definition of uttered

Verb

Schneider said the members gave themselves space, then checked whether everyone felt comfortable returning to the stage.

— Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2026
Gaza health officials have said at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since last October's ceasefire.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of said

Verb

But after returning to Kansas City following that second interview in the Windy City, Matthews talked with then-Royals owner Ewing Kauffman.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026
Read Cep’s Profile of Kingsolver » Our editors and critics choose the most captivating, notable, brilliant, surprising, absorbing, weird, thought-provoking, and talked-about books.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of talked

Adjective

The cycle of domestic violence can sometimes start with verbal criticism, followed by physical abuse, and then an apology, according to experts.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Serra then analogizes the spatial mediation stimulated by Shift to a verbal operation.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of verbal

Adjective

Sanders, who co-directed the original movie and voiced Stitch, reprised his voice-over role in the 2025 update.

— Justin Kroll, Deadline, 23 July 2025
Several cast members returned, including co-writer and co-director Chris Sanders, who created and voiced Stitch.

— Jordana Comiter, People.com, 24 May 2025

Definition of voiced

Verb

Last month, Democracy Docket surpassed 500,000 free email subscribers, the company first told Semafor, including 70,000 subscribers paying $10 a month or $120 per year.

— Max Tani, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
China-Japan relations have come under heavy strain since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament in November last year that Japan could get militarily involved in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

— Anniek Bao,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of told

Verb

Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.

— Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
We’re also lectured early on that Cole is a chess master, but his alleged intelligence never pays off.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026