speak

verb

ˈspēk How to pronounce speak (audio)
Definition of speaknext
1
as in to say
to express (a thought or emotion) in words finally spoke her fears

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to talk
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject the Mayanists have been invited to speak about their latest archaeological discoveries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 speak Vance is set to speak at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) annual leadership summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, just hours after a campaign stop in Michigan. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 After speaking with the family, investigators were able to test another living relative closer on the family tree to confirm Lahti’s identity in June. — Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026 By third grade, Alves was the first in his household to speak English. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 Rodgers, on the other hand, has spent years doing the opposite – speaking candidly and often, in settings built for exactly that kind of rapport-building. — John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for speak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for speak
  1. say
  2. talk
  3. tell
  4. lecture
  5. utter
  6. discuss
  7. share
Verb
  • Other areas of concern are the library system's self-check-out kiosks, instances in which minor teenagers handle materials while working or volunteering at a branch, and platforms for loaning electronic materials, Adams said.
    — Joseph Flaherty, Arkansas Online, 28 Aug. 2026
  • If the show is now being repositioned as just for people who are fresh out of design school or who have made just one or two gowns before (like, cough, our beloved Jude), then say that.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of say
Verb
  • Fleming by body camera footage, approached Parker, who was talking on his cellphone.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe a family watches a favorite performer together, while nearby strangers start talking because someone forgot sunscreen and their friend packed enough for six people.
    — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • The referendum campaign has fueled debate about Iceland’s place in the world, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told reporters after casting her ballot in ​the capital on Saturday.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Indrika Ratwatte, the acting assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told the Security Council that the Kenscoff attack forced more than 2,600 people to flee their homes, many for the second or third time.
    — Evens Sanon, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Luann patiently attempts to explain that the women don’t like being lectured to about their business affairs, only for Vicki to abruptly answer a phone call mid-conversation.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Robert Pozen, who lectures at MIT Sloan School of Management and was formerly president of Fidelity Investments, has an answer to the obvious question about who inspects this.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of lecture
Verb
  • In Japanese, the hero utters the name of the series to a villain in a parting one liner.
    — Gene Park, Washington Post, 23 Aug. 2026
  • While being escorted out of the synagogue by security, Montes allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman who was attending the services, cutting her lip and bruising her arm, and headbutted a security guard and uttered a racial slur, according to police.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of utter
Verb
  • Along with the move back to Britain, Meghan’s acting return was a subject the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had reportedly been discussing for some time, according to People.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Yet many Jews then and now objected to the idea that bringing up Israel’s war in Lebanon was appropriate context when discussing a synagogue attack.
    — Andrew Lapin, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of discuss
Verb
  • Crump also made a Facebook post about the Blytheville incident on Saturday, which had been shared more than 4,000 times as of Sunday afternoon.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 31 Aug. 2026
  • During their visit, the wife talked incessantly, sharing stories about their family members in great detail.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of share

Phrases Containing speak

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spays
speak
speakable
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Cite this Entry

“Speak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/speak. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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