outspoken

USAGE SUMMARY

"outspoken" is both correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to be direct and open in expressing one's opinions, often without hesitation or fear of consequence. For example, "The politician was known for her outspoken views on the issues of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Blackpool, the club at war with their own supporters in general and a few in particular, as verbal spats between outspoken fans and the Oyston family have escalated into court proceedings.

The Guardian - Sport

Key Abbott supporter and outspoken climate skeptic Senator Cory Bernardi also went on a trip to the US, to meet with the Heartland Institute.

The Guardian

I believe it is right for Britain to be unambiguous in our condemnation of Hamas's indiscriminate firing of rockets but also very forceful and outspoken about Israel.

The Guardian

Announcing her resignation as party leader at the end of October, Johann Lamont gave an outspoken interview in which she described some of her Westminster colleagues as "dinosaurs" who did not understand how the political landscape in Scotland had changed, and accused them of trying to run Scottish Labour "like a branch office of London".

The Guardian

Athens confirmed on Monday that its finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, will represent Greece at those talks after reports last week that the outspoken economist had been sidelined when Greece's negotiating team was reshuffled.

The Guardian - Business

But the prime minister thinks there is still enough wriggle room to please enough of his backbenchers and – for now – his most outspoken critics are willing to give him time.

The Guardian

However, of all the issues on which Nemtsov was outspoken, his stance on the Charlie Hebdo cartoons and massacre was not something he was particularly known for – he wrote just one short blog post on the issue.

The Guardian

The Duke of Clarence – who was the Prince of Wales's brother and later became King William IV – was an outspoken defender of slavery, and also richly deserves the pasting he gets in this movie.

The Guardian - Film

Outspoken and unbowed, the troubled Nina Simone's commitment to civil rights is one focus of a forthcoming Netflix "epic", What Happened, Miss Simone?

The Guardian - Film

Labour has chosen a Londoner to run against George Galloway as the party attempts to regain the outspoken Scot's Bradford West seat in this year's general election.

The Guardian

Under Hytner – an often outspoken defender of arts subsidy and critic of government policy – the National has gone from strength to strength.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outspoken" when you want to emphasize someone's courage and willingness to express unpopular or controversial opinions.

Common error

While "outspoken" describes someone who expresses their views freely, ensure that their opinions are not presented in a way that is intentionally hurtful or disrespectful, as this crosses the line into being offensive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outspoken" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe individuals or entities that express their opinions and beliefs frankly and without reservation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "outspoken" is a commonly used term to describe someone who expresses their opinions frankly and openly. Ludwig AI confirms that this term is grammatically correct and frequently encountered, particularly in news and media contexts. While synonyms like "frank", "candid", and "forthright" exist, "outspoken" specifically highlights the act of voicing one's views without hesitation. When using "outspoken", it's important to consider the potential impact of such directness and avoid unintentionally causing offense. By being mindful of context and delivery, "outspoken" can be a valuable quality for promoting honesty and transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frank

Implies honesty and directness, sometimes to the point of being blunt.

candid

Suggests sincerity and a lack of reservation in expressing one's views.

forthright

Indicates a clear and direct manner of speaking, leaving no room for ambiguity.

blunt

Highlights directness, potentially lacking in tact or diplomacy.

vocal

Emphasizes the act of speaking out, often in support of a cause or opinion.

plainspoken

Indicates clear and simple language, easily understood by others.

straightforward

Suggests honesty and a lack of complication in expressing oneself.

candidly

Expressing something directly and honestly, often in a way that might be unexpected.

openly expressive

Shows that the person expresses their feelings or thoughts without hiding them.

free-spoken

Emphasizes freedom and lack of restraint in speech.

FAQs

How can I use "outspoken" in a sentence?

"Outspoken" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone who expresses their opinions and beliefs directly and honestly. For example, "She is an "outspoken" advocate for human rights."

What are some synonyms for "outspoken"?

Synonyms for "outspoken" include "frank", "candid", "forthright", and "vocal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to be "outspoken" or diplomatic?

Whether it's better to be "outspoken" or diplomatic depends on the situation. Being "outspoken" can be effective when clarity and honesty are needed, while diplomacy is useful for navigating sensitive situations and maintaining relationships. You can use "tactful" instead of outspoken if you are seeking a more diplomatic approach.

What's the difference between "outspoken" and "opinionated"?

"Outspoken" emphasizes the act of expressing one's opinions openly, while "opinionated" focuses on holding strong opinions. Someone can be opinionated without being outspoken, and vice versa. Also, "opinionated" can sometimes imply being stubborn in one's views.