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Glite Dictionary
😭 To shed tears 🗣️ To shout out 🦅 A loud sound 📢 A rallying call ⚠️ To demand action 😭 A session of weeping 📣 To announce publicly
to cry

to cry

2 8.2
To call out loud in public to tell news or sell things
  • verb
  • /kraɪ/
  • Archaic
: pregonar
  • As the parade passed by, the children cried out in excitement, waving their flags.

Examples

  • But you may have heard the chapbook singers and peddlers of verse cry their names down the street.

    The Body Snatcher (1945)

  • High on the temple roof, a false prophet cried out for the people to climb up and be delivered.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • My name was cried out on Friday last all over Jerusalem.

  • You'll go on street corners and cry.

    The Odd Couple (1968)

  • But as I came to each one, the writer cried out, "That's mine, I wrote it!"

    Fiction book (1996)

  • Onlookers cried out in support and many of them rushed in to join the fight.

  • "Is it possible that you cannot imagine anything more just and consoling than that?!" the host cried out in sympathy.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • In the crowded market, the peddler cried out, "Fresh fruits and vegetables for sale!"

  • On the corner of the street, the activist cried for justice, urging the crowd to join the march.

Synonyms

to yell
vsto cry
∞ 1.0

To shout loudly because you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

focuses on making an intentional public proclamation instead of venting emotion
to call
vsto cry
898 1.0

To make a loud sound to get attention

is aimed at making a public proclamation in a busy public place
to call out
vsto cry
215 3.5

To say something loudly so people can hear

is specifically a public market or street announcement rather than any loud speech
to cry out
vsto cry
145 1.8

Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt

is a purposeful public announcement rather than an emotional reaction
to shout out
vsto cry
44 4.2

Say something loudly to show strong feeling or get attention

is a deliberate public announcement rather than a sudden emotional shout
to bawl
vsto cry
35 5.9

Cry or shout loudly and without control

is a controlled public calling to inform people rather than an uncontrolled shout
to blare out
vsto cry
2 4.3

Make a very loud sound to get people's attention

is a spoken street announcement rather than a forceful broadcast
to hallo
vsto cry
  • UK
1 4.9

To call out loudly to get someone's attention from a distance

targets making a public market announcement rather than distant personal attention
to megaphone
vsto cry
1 4.9

To speak loudly so many people can hear, often using a cone-shaped tube

is done by calling out in public voice rather than using devices
to baw
vsto cry
  • Archaic
1 9.8

To shout loudly to get someone's attention from far away

is used to make formal public announcements, not just to be heard far away
to blazon out
vsto cry
9.3

To tell many people about something in a showy way

is a general public announcement by calling out in streets or markets

Antonyms

to whisper
549 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

to mumble
116 4.9

To speak in a low, unclear voice that is hard to understand

Idioms

far cry
  • Informal
34 6.3

A thing or situation that is very different from another

far cry from
  • Informal
34 4.9

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

to cry wolf
19 5.8

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

shoulder to cry on
  • Informal
17 3.2

A person who gives comfort and listens when you feel sad

to cry a river
  • Informal
10 8.7

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

about to cry
9 3.0

Close to crying because you feel sad

cry me a river
  • Informal
6 9.6

Tell someone you do not feel sorry for their complaints

to cry over spilt milk
  • UK
2 4.3

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

to cry uncle
  • Informal
2 8.8

To admit you give up when someone pressures you

to cry the blues
  • Informal
2 7.5

To feel sad and complain to others

don't cry for me, Argentina
1 9.9

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

to cry all the way to the bank
  • Informal
1 8.6

To make a lot of money while pretending to complain

to make baby Jesus cry
  • Informal
1 9.9

Cause great sadness or disappointment, often as a joke

to cry in one's beer
  • Informal
1 9.6

To feel sorry for yourself and complain to get sympathy

to cry like a pissbaby
  • Offensive
9.9

To cry in a very childish way when upset

to cry one's eyes out
  • Informal
4.2

Cry for a long time because you feel very sad

cry than wool
9.9

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

Phrasal Verbs

to cry out
145 1.8

Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt

to cry for
108 4.1

To need something urgently

to cry out for
39 4.1

To urgently need something

to cry foul
12 5.6

Complain loudly in public that a decision is unfair

to cry out for help
9 2.7

To shout loudly when you need help right away

to cry down
7.1

To speak badly about someone or something in public

Compounds

rallying cry
17 5.6

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

battle cry
14 3.9

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

war cry
5 4.3

A loud shout to encourage or rally people before a battle

hue and cry
  • Informal
4 7.7

A loud public complaint by many people asking for action

kiss and cry
  • Jargon
1 9.4

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

party cry
1 7.0

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

cry cupboard
  • Literature
9.9

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

cry-baby tree
9.9

A small spiny tree from South America with deep red flowers

far cry
6.3

A long distance from a town or city

How Loud

to shout
690 1.0
to call out
215 3.5
to cry
  • Archaic
2 8.2
to say
∞ 1.0
to whisper
549 1.0

Surface Forms

cry infinitive
cried past
cried past participle
crying present participle
cries third person singular

Etymology

Cry was once used for people who called news in the street, like a 'town crier', so it means to make a public announcement by calling out. So to cry something in old towns was to announce it loudly so everyone could hear.