outspoken

[out-spoh-kuh n]

See more synonyms for outspoken on Thesaurus.com

adjective

uttered or expressed with frankness or without reserve: outspoken criticism.
free or unreserved in speech.

verb

past participle of outspeak.

Origin of outspoken

First recorded in 1800–10; out- + spoken

Related formsout·spo·ken·ly, adverbout·spo·ken·ness, nounun·out·spo·ken, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for outspoken on Thesaurus.com

1. See frank¹.

Antonyms

2. taciturn.

outspeak

[out-speek]

verb (used with object), out·spoke, out·spo·ken, out·speak·ing.

to outdo or excel in speaking.
to utter frankly or boldly: to outspeak one's grievances.

verb (used without object), out·spoke, out·spo·ken, out·speak·ing.

to speak out: to outspeak in defense of one's beliefs.

Origin of outspeak

First recorded in 1595–1605; out- + speak

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for outspoken

Contemporary Examples

And Jeb, of course, will also have to deal with his outspoken support for Common Core, which the Republican base loathes.
Be the Smarter Bush Brother, Jeb: Don’t Run!
Michael Tomasky
December 17, 2014
Republican Joni Ernst, an outspoken right-winger, is the new Senator-elect from Iowa.
Tea Party Firebrand Wins Big in Iowa
Ben Jacobs
November 5, 2014
But there are likely clues to be found in Germán Goyeneche's outspoken passion for the buying and selling of art.
Trading Dime Bags for Salvador Dali
Jason McGahan
October 19, 2014
As a powerful mother, outspoken artist, and affluent businesswoman, Beyoncé is surely a feminist success story.
The Perils of Glitzy Celebrity Feminism Having a Moment
Amy Zimmerman
October 15, 2014
The Chinese government detained Ai, an outspoken critic, for 81 days in 2011 on charges of tax evasion.
Ai Weiwei Escapes to Alcatraz
Emily Wilson
September 28, 2014

Historical Examples

He had not been outspoken, it is true, and herein lay one of the dangers.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Had the outspoken Lady Pen said anything about her hair, she wondered.
Jan and Her Job
L. Allen Harker
When Mary read this portion of the letter to her Uncle Shadrach his scorn was outspoken.
Mary-'Gusta
Joseph C. Lincoln
I had to be a little—just a little—you see—you know, outspoken, or—you know what I mean.
A Forest Hearth: A Romance of Indiana in the Thirties
Charles Major
Father Ryan is candid, truthful, and outspoken, and commands respect.
Ireland as It Is
Robert John Buckley (AKA R.J.B.)

British Dictionary definitions for outspoken

outspoken

adjective

candid or bold in speech
said or expressed with candour or boldness

Derived Formsoutspokenness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for outspoken

adj.

"given to speaking freely," 1808, originally Scottish, from out (adv.) + spoken. "The pa. pple. has here a resultant force, as in 'well spoken', 'well read'." [OED]. Related: Outspokenly; outspokenness.

outspoken

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Synonyms

Antonyms

outspeak

Origin of outspeak

Examples from the Web for outspoken

Contemporary Examples

And Jeb, of course, will also have to deal with his outspoken support for Common Core, which the Republican base loathes.

Republican Joni Ernst, an outspoken right-winger, is the new Senator-elect from Iowa.

But there are likely clues to be found in Germán Goyeneche's outspoken passion for the buying and selling of art.

As a powerful mother, outspoken artist, and affluent businesswoman, Beyoncé is surely a feminist success story.

The Chinese government detained Ai, an outspoken critic, for 81 days in 2011 on charges of tax evasion.

Historical Examples

He had not been outspoken, it is true, and herein lay one of the dangers.

Had the outspoken Lady Pen said anything about her hair, she wondered.

When Mary read this portion of the letter to her Uncle Shadrach his scorn was outspoken.

I had to be a little—just a little—you see—you know, outspoken, or—you know what I mean.

Father Ryan is candid, truthful, and outspoken, and commands respect.

outspoken

Word Origin and History for outspoken

adj.

Origin of outspoken