Someone who is outspoken gives their opinions about things openly and honestly, even if they are likely to shock or offend people.
Some church leaders have been outspoken in their support for political reform. [+ in]
He was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
...his outspoken criticism of the prime minister.
Synonyms: forthright, open, free, direct More Synonyms of outspoken
outspokennessuncountable noun
His outspokenness has ensured that he has at least one senior enemy within the BBChierarchy.
outspoken in British English
(ˌaʊtˈspəʊkən)
adjective
1.
candid or bold in speech
2.
said or expressed with candour or boldness
Derived forms
outspokenness (ˌoutˈspokenness)
noun
outspoken in American English
(ˌaʊtˈspoʊkən; ˈaʊtˌspoʊkən)
adjective
1.
unrestrained in speech; frank
2.
spoken boldly or candidly
SIMILAR WORDS: frank
Derived forms
outspokenly (ˌoutˈspokenly)
adverb
outspokenness (ˌoutˈspokenness)
noun
Examples of 'outspoken' in a sentence
outspoken
There are no outspoken cabinet critics of the rival scheme to expand Gatwick.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She has compounded this supposed offence by her outspoken criticisms.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The academy is long outspoken in support of animal research.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He remains outspoken in his criticisms.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He became an outspoken critic of what he saw as the party's increasingly autocratic behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Without their outspoken support, my leadership would have been much more difficult.
Christianity Today (2000)
Was he too outspoken in his criticism of the Convention?
Deborah Cadbury THE LOST KING OF FRANCE: Revolution, Revenge and the Search for Louis XVII (2002)
I am known for being outspoken about fat people.
The Sun (2014)
But his outspoken attacks on the football establishment led to his resignation, to the horror of team and fans.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Some people were more outspoken.
Jan Fennell, Foreword by Monty Roberts THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)
His comments need careful consideration, particularly given his deep understanding of commercial cases and his outspoken criticism in some serious fraud cases.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He had been the most outspoken critic of the Great War from a pacifist standpoint.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
HERE is your chance to come face to face with one of Britain's most outspoken people.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
outspoken
British English: outspoken /ˌaʊtˈspəʊkən/ ADJECTIVE
If you are outspoken, you give your opinions about things openly, even if they shock people.
...his outspoken criticism of the prime minister.
American English: outspoken
Arabic: صَرِيحٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: franco
Chinese: 坦率直言的
Croatian: iskren
Czech: přímočarý upřímný
Danish: frimodig
Dutch: vrijmoedig
European Spanish: franco directo
Finnish: suorapuheinen
French: franc
German: freimütig
Greek: ντόμπρος
Italian: diretto
Japanese: 遠慮のない
Korean: 솔직한
Norwegian: frimodig
Polish: szczery
European Portuguese: franco
Romanian: direct
Russian: прямодушно
Latin American Spanish: franco
Swedish: frispråkig
Thai: พูดจาเปิดเผย
Turkish: açık sözlü
Ukrainian: відвертий
Vietnamese: thẳng thắn
Chinese translation of 'outspoken'
outspoken
(autˈspəukən)
adj
[person, critic]直言不讳(諱)的 (zhíyán bù huì de)
[statement, criticism]坦率的 (tǎnshuài de)
(adjective)
Definition
spoken candidly
He was an outspoken critic of apartheid.
Synonyms
forthright
She was known for her forthright manner.
open
She has an open, trusting nature.
free
a confidential but free manner
direct
She avoided giving a direct answer.
frank
They had a frank discussion about the issue.
straightforward
I was impressed by his straightforward intelligent manner.
blunt
She is blunt about her personal life.
explicit
songs containing explicit references to sexual activity
downright
a simple, downright chap with no rhetorical airs about him
candid
a candid account of her life in the limelight
upfront (informal)
unequivocal
undisguised
He looked down at Bauer in undisguised disgust.
plain-spoken
a plain-spoken man full of scorn for pomp and pretense
unreserved
unconcealed
unceremonious
free-spoken
straight from the shoulder (informal)
undissembling
Opposites
reserved
,
diplomatic
,
gracious
,
reticent
,
judicious
,
tactful
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blunt
Definition
(of people, manner of speaking, etc.) straightforward and uncomplicated
She is blunt about her personal life.
Synonyms
frank,
forthright,
straightforward,
explicit,
rude,
outspoken,
bluff,
downright,
upfront (informal),
trenchant,
brusque,
plain-spoken,
tactless,
impolite,
discourteous,
unpolished,
uncivil,
straight from the shoulder
in the sense of candid
Definition
honest and straightforward in speech or behaviour
a candid account of her life in the limelight
Synonyms
honest,
just,
open,
truthful,
fair,
plain,
straightforward,
blunt,
sincere,
outspoken,
downright,
impartial,
forthright,
upfront (informal),
unequivocal,
unbiased,
guileless,
unprejudiced,
free,
round,
frank,
ingenuous
in the sense of direct
Definition
honest
She avoided giving a direct answer.
Synonyms
straightforward,
open,
straight,
frank,
blunt,
sincere,
outspoken,
honest,
matter-of-fact,
downright,
candid,
forthright,
truthful,
upfront (informal),
man-to-man,
plain-spoken
Synonyms of 'outspoken'
outspoken
Explore 'outspoken' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of downright
a simple, downright chap with no rhetorical airs about him
Synonyms
blunt,
open,
frank,
plain,
straightforward,
sincere,
outspoken,
honest,
candid,
forthright,
upfront (informal),
straight-from-the-shoulder
in the sense of explicit
Definition
(of a person) expressing something in a precise and clear way, so as to leave no doubt about what is meant
songs containing explicit references to sexual activity
Synonyms
frank,
direct,
open,
specific,
positive,
plain,
patent,
graphic,
distinct,
outspoken,
upfront (informal),
unambiguous,
unrestricted,
unrestrained,
uncensored,
unreserved
in the sense of frank
Definition
honest and straightforward in speech or attitude
They had a frank discussion about the issue.
Synonyms
candid,
open,
free,
round,
direct,
plain,
straightforward,
blunt,
outright,
sincere,
outspoken,
honest,
downright,
truthful,
forthright,
upfront (informal),
unrestricted,
plain-spoken,
unreserved,
artless,
ingenuous,
straight from the shoulder (informal)
in the sense of free
a confidential but free manner
Synonyms
relaxed,
open,
easy,
forward,
natural,
frank,
liberal,
familiar,
loose,
casual,
informal,
spontaneous,
laid-back (informal),
easy-going (informal),
lax,
uninhibited,
unforced,
free and easy,
unbidden,
unconstrained,
unceremonious
in the sense of open
Definition
honest and frank
She has an open, trusting nature.
Synonyms
frank,
direct,
natural,
plain,
innocent,
straightforward,
sincere,
transparent,
honest,
candid,
truthful,
upfront (informal),
plain-spoken,
above board,
unreserved,
artless,
ingenuous,
guileless,
straight from the shoulder (informal),
opN
in the sense of plain-spoken
a plain-spoken man full of scorn for pomp and pretense
Synonyms
blunt,
direct,
frank,
straightforward,
open,
explicit,
outright,
outspoken,
downright,
candid,
forthright,
upfront (informal),
unequivocal
in the sense of straightforward
Definition
(of a person) honest, frank, and open
I was impressed by his straightforward intelligent manner.