speaking up 1 of 2

Definition of speaking upnext

speaking up

2 of 2

verb

present participle of speak up

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
And the consequences of speaking up are rarely loud enough to point to. Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Watts said women speaking up has finally pressured the medical system to respond. Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 Things like regular psychological safety surveys also ensure employees feel as comfortable as possible speaking up, learning, and contributing. Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 13 May 2026 New parents often hesitate to communicate their evolving needs at work, but Lauren Smith Brody emphasizes that speaking up about flexible arrangements can enhance not only their own work-life balance but also benefit colleagues and overall company performance. Big Think, 8 May 2026 Most people move through interactions at work on autopilot, sending messages or speaking up in meetings without really thinking about their responses until afterward, says leadership coach Aiko Bethea. Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 8 May 2026 This hesitancy and worry about speaking up is the way free speech dies. Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 This could look like setting the record straight or speaking up in a meeting. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026 Leaders spoke on standing strong and speaking up for equality. Julia Avant, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speaking up
Verb
  • Sue Weston, owner of Weston Gardens adjacent to the Fort Worth site, has been among residents who have been speaking out about the project.
    Emily Holshouser. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026
  • Other board members and district Superintendent Jerry Boyd were present and faced intense public scrutiny, both online and in person, for not speaking out about the comment in the moment.
    Caitlyn Meisner, USA Today, 20 May 2026
Adjective
  • Seth and Lauren, who have been married since 2011, have been vocal about their personal experiences with Alzheimer's disease.
    Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
  • The two challengers are left-leaning and vocal about trying to balance the state Supreme Court ideologically.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • But the reality is that study after study shows that attacking your opponent bears more political dividends than talking up your own campaign.
    May 17, CBS News, 17 May 2026
  • Schroeder mostly threaded the needle between talking up the NFL’s longstanding TV partners and heralding streaming’s growing role in serving up its 272 regular-season games.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • As San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria took the podium at a news conference about the shooting at the Islamic Center, someone started shouting at him from the crowd.
    Aditi Sangal, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
  • Following his return to the dugout, cameras caught him slamming a bat into his helmet before burying his face in his hands and shouting.
    Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
Verb
  • 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
Verb
  • Quick bites → Costco shoppers are sounding off after a beloved food court favorite gets a surprising swap.
    Staff, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2026
  • Coachella Weekend 1 concluded with a historic performance by the festival’s first Latina headliner Karol G and now, attendees are sounding off online about their experiences and offering advice to Weekend 2 festivalgoers.
    Andrea Domanick, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Djena remembered her mother crying as her father drove her away.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Videos published on social media this week show groups of crying women and children pleading for help.
    ABC News, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Verb
  • Denise ascended the stairs, yelling at Djena all the way up, then grabbed Djena by the collar and began hitting her.
    Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
  • Minutes later, another caller reported hearing people yelling for help from the burning vehicle.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Speaking up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speaking%20up. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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