outspoken

[ out-spoh-kuhn ]

adjective

1. uttered or expressed with frankness or without reserve:

   outspoken criticism.

2. free or unreserved in speech.

   Antonyms: taciturn

verb

1. past participle of outspeak.

outspoken

/ ˌaʊtˈspəʊkən /

adjective

1. candid or bold in speech
2. said or expressed with candour or boldness

Derived Forms

• ˌoutˈspokenness, noun

Other Words From

• outspoken·ly adverb
• outspoken·ness noun
• unout·spoken adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of outspoken¹

First recorded in 1800–10; out- + spoken

Synonym Study

See frank ¹.

Example Sentences

Remini has been an outspoken critic of Scientology and her 2015 book, “Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology,” helped spur the series, the first season of which is currently available to stream on Discovery+.

From New York Times

Two others were arrested in the US over an alleged plot to kill an American journalist who was an outspoken critic of Iran.

From BBC

Celebrities have been outspoken about their treatment recently, and the show has put in place heightened welfare measures including chaperones in rehearsals.

From BBC

Kane has been a central figure to Carsley's reign in charge, not least with his public and uncharacteristically outspoken slap-down of those England players who withdrew from the squad for these two internationals.

From BBC

This was particularly notable in a reading of the libretto for a proposed new opera by Ted Hearn, one of our most politically outspoken composers, based on Ursula K Le Guin’s “The Dispossessed.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blunt
• candid
• forthright
• strident
• vocal