express 1 of 3

verb

ik-ˈspres How to pronounce express (audio)
Definition of expressnext
1
as in to voice
to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion) in a true democracy, a person can freely express his or her views

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2
as in to squeeze
to apply external pressure on so as to force out the juice or contents of except as a fun event at festivals, nowadays people do not make wine by expressing grapes with their feet

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3
as in to signify
to communicate or convey (as an idea) to the mind an upraised thumb is now universally recognized as a gesture expressing approval or encouragement

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4
as in to say
to convey in appropriate or telling terms could you express your opinion of the book in words a little more precise than "lousy"?

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5
as in to embody
to represent in visible form towering spires express in glass and steel the optimism of the age

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

express

2 of 3

adjective

1
as in specific
of a particular or exact sort a trip to the supermarket with the express purpose of buying milk

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in explicit
so clearly expressed as to leave no doubt about the meaning students are not allowed to leave the grounds during school hours unless they have express permission from the principal's office

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

express

3 of 3

noun

British
as in messenger
one that carries a message or does an errand the solicitors employ an express to deliver their summonses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word express distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of express are air, broach, utter, vent, and voice. While all these words mean "to make known what one thinks or feels," express suggests an impulse to reveal in words, gestures, actions, or what one creates or produces.

expressed her feelings in music

When is air a more appropriate choice than express?

In some situations, the words air and express are roughly equivalent. However, air implies an exposing or parading of one's views often in order to gain relief or sympathy or attention.

publicly airing their differences

When would broach be a good substitute for express?

The meanings of broach and express largely overlap; however, broach adds the implication of disclosing for the first time something long thought over or reserved for a suitable occasion.

broached the subject of a divorce

In what contexts can utter take the place of express?

While in some cases nearly identical to express, utter implies the use of the voice not necessarily in articulate speech.

utter a groan

When can vent be used instead of express?

The words vent and express can be used in similar contexts, but vent stresses a strong inner compulsion to express especially in words.

a tirade venting his frustration

Where would voice be a reasonable alternative to express?

The synonyms voice and express are sometimes interchangeable, but voice does not necessarily imply vocal utterance but does imply expression or formulation in words.

an editorial voicing their concerns

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of express
Verb
However, a number of European leaders have expressed concerns over the Israel’s actions in Gaza in recent days. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 May 2025 Trump’s affinity for Musk did not extend to the broader Republican party, however, as many GOP lawmakers publicly expressed doubts about the cuts Musk made. —Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Adjective
Some of these places were established for the express purpose of serving these functions: the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol in Washington and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, built to commemorate the country’s westward expansion. —Bethanee Bemis, The Conversation, 20 May 2025 Business Tech News #5 – One year later, Target calls its express self-checkout a success. —Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Noun
That service is available to any guest thanks to the VIP express service, priced at $316 per person. —Stacy Lambe, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 The allowance for credit losses increased to $34.8 million, representing 1.15% of gross loans, reflecting higher charge-offs in the business express loan portfolio. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for express
Recent Examples of Synonyms for express
  1. voice
  2. squeeze
  3. signify
  4. say
  5. embody
  6. specific
  7. explicit
  8. messenger
Verb
  • Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., has previously voiced strong support of the bill.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 25 May 2025
  • Even the United States, a staunch ally, has voiced concerns over the hunger crisis.
    — Sam Mednick, Christian Science Monitor, 24 May 2025
Definition of voice
Verb
  • Martinez’s son squeezed the trigger five times, shooting Rivera to death and wounding two others, the detective wrote in the affidavit.
    — Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • Umberto Rispoli squeezed between horses around the top of the stretch and then rode Journalism to a tremendous rally.
    — Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 24 May 2025
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • The skyscraper signifies an important urban developmental stage, as defined by Brian J. Godfrey, a scholar of urban studies.
    — Ashley Gardini, JSTOR Daily, 13 May 2025
  • Also present is what would become Autopia, signifying that Disneyland in late 1953 had many of its early attractions solidified.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2025
Definition of signify
Verb
  • Read: The last thing bees need right now After a major winter die-off, the USDA usually returns its verdict by late March or early April, Downey said.
    — Joanna Thompson, The Atlantic, 20 May 2025
  • The witness allegedly overheard the friend say that Lanez didn’t shoot the three-time Grammy winner.
    — Anna Chan, Billboard, 20 May 2025
Definition of say
Verb
  • Either way, the new pope embodies all the complexities of being an American, serving as an authentic ambassador of our history and culture.
    — Rebecca R. Bibbs, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • Thune, who has in mind an optimistic deadline of July 4 to pass a budget reconciliation measure that would embody Trump’s key tax and spending policies, can only lose a maximum of three votes.
    — Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 23 May 2025
Definition of embody
Adjective
  • But more commonly it's used to refer to the specific specialized planes — currently Boeing 747-200B models — outfitted with state-of-the-art communications and defense systems, along with lots of other (often highly classified) features.
    — Kat Lonsdorf, NPR, 21 May 2025
  • Many of the criticisms were based on specific designs.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2025
Definition of specific
Adjective
  • As with early shōnen-ai, tales that explored explicit physical attraction between girls tended to end in tragedy.
    — Vrai Kaiser, Them., 30 May 2025
  • What To Know The tech mogul entered politics last year with the explicit purpose of getting Trump elected for a second term as president, spending more than $75 million in the process.
    — Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Definition of explicit
Noun
  • This kind of universal integration means every product becomes a messenger.
    — Benjamin Claeys, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
  • Another combination of great writing and fine acting comes when Kiko Laureano becomes a messenger of magic, as if this visitor has just stepped out of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel and into Walter’s apartment.
    — Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 23 May 2025
Definition of messenger

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expounds
express
expressed
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Cite this Entry

“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/express. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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