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outspoken

outspoken

78 4.2
To speak freely and directly about opinions or feelings
  • adjective
  • /aʊtˈspoʊkən/
translation icon : franco
  • She is known for being outspoken about her beliefs, often sharing her thoughts without hesitation.
  • an outspoken critic
  • outspoken views
  • an outspoken supporter

Well, I don't think being outspoken has helped my fiction career, right?

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Examples

  • Lillian was an outspoken critic of the former and a champion of the latter.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • James Garfield was an outspoken advocate of the gold standard.

  • And so my mother was very outspoken, and she was a very strong woman.

  • I'm very outspoken about politics and global issues.

  • But she was a very outspoken and colourful person.

  • Some former think tanks for school reform have become outspoken advocates for charter schools.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Miss Becker was an outspoken critic of US intelligence activities abroad.

  • I mean, she was not well liked in certain circles because she's very outspoken politically.

  • You've been rather courageous and outspoken about your challenges with weight loss.

  • You know, he's very he's very outspoken on the subject.

Synonyms

direct
vsoutspoken
302 3.5

Honest and clear in speech or action

stresses freely expressing opinions and not holding back feelings
frank
vsoutspoken
104 3.4

Open and honest when giving opinions or feelings

focuses more on expressing freely and without holding back
blunt
vsoutspoken
100 3.8

Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude

focuses more on open expression rather than rude bluntness
vocal
vsoutspoken
87 4.9

Saying opinions clearly and strongly in public

is similar but focuses more on open expression than insistence
candid
vsoutspoken
83 4.6

Open and honest, telling the truth even when it is hard

is more about freely giving opinions rather than just truthful difficulty
upfront
vsoutspoken
59 4.3

Honest and direct about feelings or plans

tends to express opinions more publicly and without restraint
assertive
vsoutspoken
42 4.2

Showing confidence when saying what you want or think

is more about freely voicing feelings than confident forcefulness
forthright
vsoutspoken
32 5.5

Being direct and honest when talking or acting

leans more toward openly voicing opinions without hesitation
vocal about
vsoutspoken
10 3.9

Openly say strong opinions or feelings about something

is broader, covering general free expression rather than specific topics
vociferous
vsoutspoken
  • Formal
7 7.8

To speak loudly and strongly to show disagreement

is less about volume and more about freely sharing opinions
mouthy
vsoutspoken
  • Informal
3 6.9

Talking a lot in a lively or outspoken way

is about freely giving opinions rather than mere talkativeness
loud-mouthed
vsoutspoken
  • Offensive
3 6.7

A person who speaks loudly and says rude things

involves open opinion sharing without necessarily being rude or offensive
plainspoken
vsoutspoken
3 4.3

Speaking simply and honestly without hiding meaning

emphasizes freely sharing feelings rather than plain language alone
free-spoken
vsoutspoken
  • Archaic
7.1

Speaking in a direct and open way without hiding opinions

adds a sense of freely sharing opinions rather than just being unreserved
straight-from-the-shoulder
vsoutspoken
  • Informal
7.7

Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think

is similar but more about freely stating opinions than mere bluntness

Antonyms

11 4.0

Being careful and polite when speaking to avoid hurting people

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

How Direct

blunt
100 3.8
outspoken
78 4.2
frank
104 3.4
open
702 1.0
reserved
3.7

Surface Forms

outspoken positive

Morphology

outspoken = outspoke (semi-transparent) = out + speak + en

The base 'outspoke' suggests speaking freely, but the adjective form 'outspoken' implies a specific meaning of being frank and direct.

Etymology

Outspoken is made of two clear parts: out meaning 'openly' and spoken from speak meaning 'to say'. So think of someone who 'speaks out' without holding back, which is why outspoken means freely and directly giving their opinions.