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Dictionary.com
Definitions

speak for

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.

Although I no longer get breathless when talking, thanks to voice therapy, I lose my voice completely if I speak for too long.

From Slate • Apr. 18, 2026

"I can speak for all the players - we want it so bad and in one game anything can happen at Anfield."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

The U.S. military declined to say whether Arab countries were helping in the fight, saying it would let Gulf countries speak for themselves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Let the sheet pan dinner speak for itself.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

“I can’t speak for everyone, but the easier answer I can give is that we need to fund-raise for Ms. Perez to help her with the costs associated with the funeral.”

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro