soapbox

[ sohp-boks ]

noun

1. Also soap box. an improvised platform, as one on a street, from which a speaker delivers an informal speech, an appeal, or political harangue.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a speaker or speech from a soapbox.

soapbox

/ ˈsəʊpˌbɒks /

noun

1. a box or crate for packing soap
2. a crate used as a platform for speech-making
3. a child's homemade racing cart consisting of a wooden box set on a wooden frame with wheels and a steerable front axle

Word History and Origins

Origin of soapbox¹

First recorded in 1650–60; soap + box ¹

Example Sentences

I won’t stand on this soapbox for long, but while I’m here, I want to take a second to advocate for something counterintuitive coming from someone with the title of Sr.

From Search Engine Land

He used his television soapbox to accuse doctors of fomenting revolution.

From Time

It has been subject to political sensitivities and soapbox rhetoric, buffeted by popular disbelief and official omertà.

From The Daily Beast

Jasarevic noted social mobilization—whether done on Twitter or atop a soapbox—is only a part of the solution.

From The Daily Beast

We play dodge ball, ride giant tricycles, and craft homespun jalopies for the adult soapbox derby.

From The Daily Beast

Particularly during his reign at Fox News, Beck used his cable TV soapbox to scare his loyal viewers.

From The Daily Beast

He immediately called Sharpton, who said he was sorry that Jackson had turned the press conference into a soapbox.

From The Daily Beast

But I would never have gone up on a soapbox to support them.

From Project Gutenberg

An old soapbox or tea-chest serves as a chest of drawers, drawing-room table, and clothes-box.

From Project Gutenberg

The bobbin was a large one, and was placed in a soapbox of boxwood, with magnet core and iron diaphragm.

From Project Gutenberg

I should bring my own in a little metal soapbox or well wrapped in thick paper.

From Project Gutenberg

Then they packed excelsior into all the vacant places in the soapbox.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acknowledge
• admit
• affirm
• avow
• confess
• feign
• pretend
• proclaim
• stump