to voice concern
7
3.9
- phrasal verb
- Formal
:
expresar preocupación
- Residents gathered at the town hall to voice concerns about the new zoning regulations proposed by the city council.
- students voiced concern
- frequently voiced concern
- Many voiced concern
Some speculated about their aphrodisiac properties, others voiced concern about their leprous appearance.
- Some speculated about their aphrodisiac properties, others voiced concern about their leprous appearance.
- And even if there's no enforcement ability they should, they can at least voice concerns publicly.
Examples
-
Offering an opportunity to voice concerns without fear of reprisal is an important leadership role.
Academic text (2009) -
Some of your critics have voiced concerns.
-
As a result of their rights to voice concerns and make demands, ethnic groups also obtain economic rewards.
Academic text (2002) -
And even if there's no enforcement ability they should, they can at least voice concerns publicly.
-
And yet, in the past ten years or so, tech specialists have repeatedly voiced concerns that this progress will soon hit the wall.
-
In the discussions at Queens College, students voiced concern about a more complicated reality.
Academic text (2004) -
Many in the political elite voiced concern and called for putting an end to those fierce battles.
Academic text (2007) -
Many of those involved in the hearings, particularly senators, voiced concern regarding the protection of such information.
Academic text (2007) -
Six respondents voiced concerns about being ostracized in their social group for participating.
Academic text (2005) -
An impromptu civic protest occurred after lunch when students voiced concerns that there were no recycling containers for aluminum cans.
Academic text (2004)
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To say you are unhappy about something and want it changed
220
3.4
To say your opinion or feelings openly even when it is difficult
135
3.1
Give your opinion clearly and firmly even when it is difficult
93
2.8
To say firmly that you are not guilty
61
4.1
To show strong feelings, especially when angry
40
3.6
To show in public that you strongly disagree with something
15
4.2
To say in public that you do not support something
6
4.1
To complain quietly about something you do not like
4
5.3
Express strong feelings or complaints openly
1
8.5
To speak strongly to show you disagree
To express a complaint or concern, often publicly
Antonyms
How Forceful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'voice' (to express) applied to 'concern' (a worry) yields 'to express a worry', so a learner who knows both words can infer the phrase. This verb + noun formulation is common and has close parallels in many languages (e.g. Spanish 'manifestar preocupación', French 'exprimer des inquiétudes'), supporting immediate understandability for B1 learners.
Etymology
Voice concern comes from using your voice (your spoken words) to show a concern (a worry). Imagine someone speaking up at a meeting to say they are worried—so the phrase means 'to express worries or criticisms publicly'.