outspoken
Never holding back
Outspoken describes someone who expresses opinions freely and directly, even when those opinions might be unwelcome or controversial: She's been outspoken about corruption in the department.
The word implies boldness rather than tactlessness—an outspoken critic speaks up where others stay silent.
He's outspoken but fair.
Dull or tactlessly direct
- directUndeviating or to guide
- frankOpen and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
- straightforwardClear and uncomplicated
honest · unvarnished · transparent · upfront · unfiltered · unequivocal · point-blank · no-nonsense
Lacking any apprehension
- audaciousRecklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- daringAdventurous courage
- unafraidLacking dread or alarm
- gutsyInformally courageous
unapologetic · defiant · undaunted · brazen · unflinching · unabashed · intrepid · courageous
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- vociferousLoudly and forcefully expressive
- volubleInclined to talk freely
talkative · communicative · persuasive · rhetorical · silver-tongued · fluent · oratorical · impassioned
Exerting strong pressure
- emphaticExpressed with force
- insistentFirmly demanding attention
- vocalExpressing views freely
- firmSolid or resolute
strong-willed · resolute · determined · self-assured · commanding · confident · strident · vehement
Causing sharp division
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
- inflammatoryTending to provoke outrage
incendiary · rabble-rousing · firebrand · polemical · agitating · radical · dissident · iconoclastic
blunt
Dull or tactlessly direct
- directUndeviating or to guide
- frankOpen and direct
- forthrightDirectly honest in manner
straightforward · honest · unvarnished · transparent · upfront · unfiltered · unequivocal · point-blank · no-nonsense · plainspoken
fearless
Lacking any apprehension
- audaciousRecklessly or disrespectfully fearless
- daringAdventurous courage
- unafraidLacking dread or alarm
gutsy · unapologetic · defiant · undaunted · brazen · unflinching · unabashed · intrepid · courageous · brash
articulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- eloquentFluent and persuasive
- expressiveShowing feelings outwardly
- vociferousLoudly and forcefully expressive
voluble · talkative · communicative · persuasive · rhetorical · silver-tongued · fluent · oratorical · impassioned · passionate
forceful
Exerting strong pressure
firm · strong-willed · resolute · determined · self-assured · commanding · confident · strident · vehement · vigorous
polarizing
Causing sharp division
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
inflammatory · incendiary · rabble-rousing · firebrand · polemical · agitating · radical · dissident · iconoclastic · rebellious
- Blunt honestyblunt, candid, direct, frank, honest
- expressivenessexpressive, eloquent, emotive, articulate, demonstrative
- opennessopen, openness, transparent, transparency, accessible
- clarityclearness, clear, obvious, simplification, concise
- integrityintegrity, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, rectitude
- outout, outside, outdoor, outdoors, outsider
outspokenreticent
Disinclined to speak freely
reserved · taciturn · tight-lipped · uncommunicative · guarded
outspokendiplomatic
Tactful and sensitive
tactful · indirect · evasive · circuitous · equivocal