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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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

Synonyms & Similar Words
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"?

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Many students don’t have access to vehicles and for those that do, their parents expressed concern about their kids driving long distances to get to a job site. —Jean Eddy, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 Textile executives sounded particularly cautious in expressing their views. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Adjective
Fred Smith, the FedEx Corp. founder who revolutionized the express delivery industry, has died, the company said. —Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025 Download the app for a more seamless shopping experience (and free express shipping with a minimum spend). —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 23 June 2025
Noun
Another thing that makes café pour-over coffee express flavor so well is agitation. —Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 23 May 2025 The most popular places to stay are within close proximity to the airport, and tourists often take the airport express. —Robin Raven, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024 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
  • The president has voiced his confidence in Noem despite the criticism.
    — The Hill Staff, The Hill, 11 July 2025
  • The director cast the Oscar nominee, who previously voiced Rocket Raccoon in his Guardians of the Galaxy films, as Jor-El, the Man of Steel's biological father from Krypton.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of voice
Verb
  • Kalvin Phillips squeezes a pass through the gap and into Omari Hutchinson, taking three Forest players out of the game.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • Marlene alleged her son grabbed and started to squeeze her throat.
    — Christine Pelisek, People.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of squeeze
Verb
  • Today's the beginning of the Dry January campaign, signified by the color yellow.
    — Maria Leontaras, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • Its streamlined profile, outsole made for smooth transitions (courtesy of the segmented crash pad), and midsole that adapts to your unique speed and stride are all elements that signify the brand’s devotion to high-quality craftsmanship.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 July 2025
Definition of signify
Verb
  • The crash was reported shortly after 6:30 a.m. on June 28 at the intersection of West Taylor and Spring streets, San Jose police Officer Tanya Hernandez said in a news release.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 8 July 2025
  • Two men are dead following a shooting in Dundalk on Monday, Baltimore County Police say.
    — Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 8 July 2025
Definition of say
Verb
  • Rubbing Salt In The Wound: Expatriation Tax Regime The current expatriation regime is embodied in IRC Section 877A, enacted in 2008 to deter wealthy Americans from renouncing citizenship to avoid taxes.
    — Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025
  • The new conference space embodies a chic dining area, opposed to a stereotypically bland meeting room.
    — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
Definition of embody
Adjective
  • Neither the accrediting agency nor the university specified which specific financial issues led to the probation.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 8 July 2025
  • Reporters asked the sheriff for a specific timeline of emergency response after state warnings were issued on Wednesday and Thursday and a National Weather Service flash flood warning was issued at 1:14 am on Friday.
    — Bethany Blankley, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2025
Definition of specific
Adjective
  • Family-friendly Offerings Hotel Marina Riviera doesn’t have any explicit family-minded amenities or offerings at the moment, but the baseline amenities are pretty family-friendly.
    — Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
  • Similarly to the protagonist of Parable of the Sower, which is name-checked in 40 Acres, Emmanuel finds himself at odds with his parents’ view of the world and yearns for a community outside of the Freeman colony. 40 Acres opens with a bit of explicit world-building.
    — Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 3 July 2025
Definition of explicit
Noun
  • This watch is capable of replacing your satellite messenger, your cycling computer, and your running watch, adding several handy features to the standard Apple Watch experience.
    — Adrienne So, Wired News, 11 July 2025
  • Retrograde transits are notorious for bringing the past back around, but the messenger planet’s sextile to Venus fuels the fire.
    — Valerie Mesa, People.com, 10 July 2025
Definition of messenger

Browse Nearby Words

expounds
express
expressed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Express.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/express. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on express

Nglish: Translation of express for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a plate of arepas
Name That Dish! Some mouth-watering food for thought
See All