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cry

cry

142 1.0
A loud call that an animal or person makes
  • noun
  • /kraɪ/
translation icon : grito
  • But as he listened to her cries, his sympathies soared.
  • a cry for help
  • hear a cry
  • utter a cry

No one hears my cries because they sound like lies.

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Examples

  • As if in reply, there was a soft hooting cry of an owl in the forest.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • No one hears my cries because they sound like lies.

  • After about ten minutes, you hear a long, loud cry and then a shout for help from reception.

    Academic text (2012)
  • His voice was like the cry of a child or a wounded animal: HANK.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • At that instant, there was a blood-chilling cry, and another dark shape hurtled from behind a tree.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • That new arrival comes with unfamiliar cries and smells and sounds.

  • And it is murder that inspires cries of outrage and demands that justice be done.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The boy let out a startled cry as the chest-high, furry, bewhiskered creature appeared before him.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Peddlers have sung melodic snippets and cries to attract customers for hundreds of years.

    Academic text (2015)
  • The child's loud cry for help echoed through the empty hall.

Synonyms

call
vscry
301 1.0

A sound an animal makes to get attention

is more about loud emotional utterances rather than simple signals
yelling
vscry
172 1.0

A loud shout showing pain, anger or strong feeling

is the broad noun for any loud emotional sound, not just inarticulate ones
shout
vscry
162 1.0

A loud cry to get attention or show strong feeling

is broader, used for loud sounds not only to get attention
shouting
vscry
129 1.0

Loud sounds people make to show strong feelings, for example at sports games

is the sound itself rather than the activity of producing it
screaming
vscry
92 1.9

A very loud high, piercing noise that hurts the ears

is broader and not always high-pitched or piercing
yell
vscry
75 1.0

A loud, sudden shout made when you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

is less focused on sharpness and can be any loud emotional sound
screeching
vscry
58 3.3

A very loud high sound that hurts your ears

is not defined by harsh pitch and may be neutral or emotional
wail
vscry
54 3.2

A long loud cry that shows pain or deep sadness

is more general and not limited to prolonged sad sounds
howling
vscry
47 4.1

A long loud cry that shows strong feeling

is shorter or any loud sound, not specifically long or continuous
screech
vscry
39 2.9

A loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is broader and can describe any loud expressive sound
squeal
vscry
34 2.9

A long, high sound showing pain, fear, or strong excitement

is not defined by pitch or length and covers many loud sounds
shrieking
vscry
15 3.0

A loud, very high sound like a scream made by a person or animal

is not limited to high pitch and can be any loud emotional sound
exclamation
vscry
12 3.4

A loud cry that shows sudden strong feeling like surprise or pain

is usually broader and covers any loud sound expressing emotion
lamentation
vscry
  • Literature
7 7.7

A strong feeling of sadness that people show by crying

is not limited to sorrow and covers many emotional loud sounds
wailing
vscry
5 3.5

Loud long cries made when someone feels deep pain or sadness

is broader and includes many emotions, not only grief or sorrow
yelping
vscry
5 2.6

A short high sound a dog makes when it is hurt or afraid

is broader and used for many loud sounds, not only animal noises
yowl
vscry
3 7.2

A loud, long cry that sounds like an animal in pain

is not necessarily animal-like and applies to human or animal sounds
ululation
vscry
1 9.9

A long loud high sound people make to show strong feeling

is the general loud sound, not tied to cultural ritual or specific pitch
howler
vscry
4.4

A loud strong cry that someone or an animal makes

is not necessarily very strong, covering less intense loud sounds
vociferation
vscry
  • Formal
9.5

A loud, strong shout often made in protest

is the general loud sound, not limited to protest or formal speech

Idioms

far cry from
  • Informal
27 4.9

Very different from what you expect, often in a disappointing way

far cry
  • Informal
22 6.3

A thing or situation that is very different from another

15 3.2

A person who gives comfort and listens when you feel sad

12 5.8

To say there is danger when there is none so people stop believing you

8 3.0

Close to crying because you feel sad

7 4.2

Cry for a long time because you feel very sad

To waste time being upset about something that already happened and cannot be changed

to cry the blues
  • Informal
1 7.5

To feel sad and complain to others

to cry uncle
  • Informal
1 8.8

To admit you give up when someone pressures you

to cry a river
  • Informal
1 8.7

Complain a lot in a dramatic way about something that upsets you

cry me a river
  • Informal
1 9.6

Tell someone you do not feel sorry for their complaints

1 9.9

Cause great sadness or disappointment, often as a joke

To make a lot of money while pretending to complain

9.6

To feel sorry for yourself and complain to get sympathy

9.9

To cry in a very childish way when upset

A situation that makes a lot of noise but has little real effect

A dramatic way to tell people not to be sad when you leave, from the musical Evita

Compounds

12 5.6

A short word or phrase that encourages people to unite and act for a cause

8 3.9

A loud shout or short phrase that encourages people to act together

hue and cry
  • Informal
4 7.7

A loud public complaint by many people asking for action

2 4.3

A loud shout to encourage or rally people before a battle

1 6.3

A long distance from a town or city

kiss and cry
  • Jargon
1 9.4

An area at competitions like figure skating where athletes and coaches wait for scores and show emotion

cry cupboard
  • Literature
9.9

A private place where you go to be alone and let out your feelings

A small spiny tree from South America with deep red flowers

7.0

A short chant people shout together at a celebration to show support

How Loud

bellow
20 4.6
scream
596 1.0
yell
75 1.0
cry
142 1.0
call
301 1.0
peep
14 1.0

Surface Forms

cry singular
cries plural

Etymology

Cry as a noun comes from the simple idea of a short, loud 'call' or shout, and animals and people use a cry to communicate or express feeling. So an animal's cry is the loud call that helps identify it or warn others.