Definitions

speak for

Jump To:

advocate v.
promote v.
represent v.
urge v.

VERB

advocate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back campaign for defend encourage favor further justify press for promote propose push recommend support tout uphold urge

STRONG

advance advise bless bolster boost champion countenance plug side vindicate

WEAK

argue for be in corner brace up build up get on bandwagon give a leg up give a lift go for go to bat for go with hold with plead for plump for ride shotgun for root for run interference for say so spread around stump for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block conceal condemn deny disapprove discourage dissuade hide hinder hurt oppose refuse reject

STRONG

decrease halt prevent undermine

WEAK

assail attack criticize impugn protest

VERB

promote

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advance advertise advocate benefit bolster boost build up cooperate develop encourage endorse further improve popularize publicize push push for sell soft sell speed sponsor stimulate support uphold urge

STRONG

aid assist avail back befriend champion contribute cry espouse forward foster hype nourish nurture patronize plug press-agent propagandize puff recommend serve subsidize succor

WEAK

call attention to get behind work for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

block cease conceal decrease delay depress disapprove discourage dissuade halt harm hide hinder hurt impede injure lessen let down obstruct oppose prevent protest reject repress stop undermine weaken

STRONG

deprive ignore neglect starve take withhold

WEAK

condemn degrade demote discredit dishonor

VERB

represent

Synonyms

STRONGEST

mean perform produce serve serve as show

STRONG

be betoken body copy embody enact epitomize equal equate exemplify exhibit express factor imitate impersonate personify reproduce stage substitute typify

WEAK

act as act as broker act for act in place of appear as assume the role of be agent for be attorney for be proxy for buy for correspond to do business for emblematize hold office play the part put on sell for stand for steward

Antonyms

STRONGEST

refuse

STRONG

be original differ imbalance oppose reverse stop

VERB

urge

Synonyms

STRONGEST

advise advocate appeal to ask commend compel endorse exhort favor force implore press promote prompt propose push recommend request support

STRONG

adjure advance attract beseech champion charge conjure counsel countenance drive entreat further goad hasten impel incite induce influence inspire instigate maneuver move plead propel rationalize sanction solicit spur stimulate tempt wheedle

WEAK

egg on fire up insist on put up to

Antonyms

STRONGEST

censure condemn criticize deny disapprove discourage dissuade hinder hurt let go oppose protest pull refuse reject reply stop

STRONG

check delay halt prevent repress repulse retreat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

speak for

Mary is not a member of the Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition and said she cannot speak for them.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

I’ve heard “The data speak for themselves” countless times.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026

In a letter to investors, Collison suggested Stripe is better off as a private company because of the “singularity,” tech speak for the moment when AI becomes more capable than humans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

In group sessions, where Cody typically doesn’t say much, the others speak for what Cody might be going through, Greek chorus-style.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

“May you prosper too,” I whispered, hardly able to speak, for his words had left me defenceless.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

speak for

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words