Home Synonyms speak

Synonyms of speak in English:

speak


See US English definition of speak

See UK English definition of speak

See Spanish definition of hablar

verb

1‘she refused to speak about the incident’

SYNONYMS
talk, say, say anything, say something
utter, state, declare, tell, voice, express, pronounce, articulate, enunciate, vocalize, verbalize
rare enounce

2‘we spoke the other day’

SYNONYMS
have a conversation, talk, have a talk, have a discussion, converse, communicate, chat, have a chat, pass the time of day, have a word, gossip, make conversation
informal have a confab, chew the fat, chew the rag
British informal natter, have a chinwag
North American informal shoot the breeze
rare confabulate

3‘the Minister spoke for two hours’

SYNONYMS
give a speech, give a talk, talk, lecture, give a lecture, deliver an address, give a sermon, hold forth, discourse, expound, expatiate, orate, harangue, sermonize, pontificate
informal spout, spiel, speechify, preachify, jaw, sound off, drone on

4‘his expression spoke disbelief’

SYNONYMS
indicate, mean, suggest, show, denote, display, demonstrate, be evidence of, register, reflect, reveal, betray, evince, disclose, exhibit, manifest
express, convey, signify, impart, bespeak, communicate, bear out, attest, testify to, prove, evidence
literary betoken

Phrases

    speak for

    1‘he claimed to speak for the majority of local people’


    SYNONYMS
    represent, speak on behalf of, act for, act on behalf of, appear for, intercede for, express the views of, act as spokesman for, act as spokeswoman for, act as spokesperson for

    2‘who would like to speak for the motion?’


    SYNONYMS
    advocate, champion, uphold, defend, stand up for, support, speak in support of, promote, recommend, urge, back, endorse, sponsor, espouse
    ANTONYMS

    speak against, oppose

    speak out

    ‘women have been speaking out on this issue for some time’


    SYNONYMS
    speak publicly, speak openly, speak boldly, speak frankly, speak one's mind, sound off, spout off, go on, stand up and be counted
    speak to

    ‘we really must speak to him about his rudeness’


    SYNONYMS
    reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, remonstrate with, berate, take to task, pull up, castigate, lambast, read someone the Riot Act, give someone a piece of one's mind, haul over the coals, lecture, criticize, censure
    informal tell off, give someone a talking-to, give someone a telling-off, dress down, give someone a dressing-down, give someone an earful, give someone a roasting, give someone a rocket, give someone a rollicking, rap, rap over the knuckles, slap someone's wrist, send someone away with a flea in their ear, let someone have it, bawl out, give someone hell, come down on, blow up, pitch into, lay into, lace into, give someone a caning, put on the mat, slap down, blast, rag, keelhaul
    British informal tick off, have a go at, carpet, monster, give someone a mouthful, tear someone off a strip, give someone what for, give someone stick, wig, give someone a wigging, give someone a row, row
    North American informal chew out, ream out
    British vulgar slang bollock, give someone a bollocking, tear someone a new arsehole, rip someone a new arsehole
    North American vulgar slang chew someone's ass, ream someone's ass, tear someone a new asshole, rip someone a new asshole
    dated call down, rate, give someone a rating, trim
    rare reprehend, objurgate
    speak of

    ‘he was spoken of as a promising student’


    SYNONYMS
    mention, make mention of, talk about, discuss, refer to, make reference to, bring in, introduce, remark on, comment on, allude to, advert to, deal with, treat
    speak up

    ‘you'll have to speak up to be heard’


    SYNONYMS
    speak loudly, speak more loudly, speak out, speak clearly, raise one's voice, shout, yell, bellow, call at the top of one's voice
    North American informal holler