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to exclaim

to exclaim

81 3.4
Say something suddenly and loudly because you feel surprised or excited
  • verb
  • /ɪkˈskleɪm/
translation icon : exclamar
  • "What a beautiful sunset!" she exclaimed in awe.
  • "Oh," she exclaimed
  • "I know!" she exclaimed
  • exclaimed excitedly

All the stools are taken by them, He exclaims.

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Examples

  • Reportedly in a state of shock, she exclaims to Dior.

  • Therefore, the kingly prophet had reason to exclaim: How manifold are thy works?

    Academic text (1995)
  • And what made you exclaim, how have I not seen this until now?

  • What made Craig exclaim we truly live in a world of wonders?

  • Even as we exclaim about growing connectivity, we seem to experience greater disconnection.

  • The teacher, overcome with joy, exclaims, "There! Do that again!" and the students reply, "What?"

    Academic text (1994)
  • "I just love it!" exclaimed a horn player in the seventh grade.

    Academic text (2012)
  • "Girl, you look sharp in that suit!" Natalie exclaims as soon as she sees her.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Erin, so pretty, smiling, coming in the door, exclaiming with delight over the house.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "I've got just the book for you," she exclaimed, and darted back into her office.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to call
vsto exclaim
1.0

To make a loud sound to get attention

is sudden and usually driven by surprise or a strong emotion
to scream
vsto exclaim
1.0

To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain

is sudden and loud too but can be lower pitched or varied tone
to yell
vsto exclaim
1.0

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

is a sudden loud utterance typically triggered by surprise or shock
to shout
vsto exclaim
644 1.0

To speak very loudly to get attention or show strong feeling

is more about an immediate loud reaction caused by surprise
to cry
vsto exclaim
342 1.0

To make a loud call to show feeling or get attention

is a sudden loud verbal reaction tied to surprise or strong feeling
to explode
vsto exclaim
187 3.5

To suddenly show a strong feeling, often anger

is a sudden loud verbal reaction usually caused by surprise
to call out
vsto exclaim
152 3.5

To say something loudly so people can hear

is sudden and often caused by surprise rather than planned announcement
to cry out
vsto exclaim
108 1.8

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

focuses on sudden spoken reaction caused by surprise or strong feeling
to utter
vsto exclaim
107 2.9

To say something aloud

is sudden and loud and usually caused by surprise or strong feeling
to shriek
vsto exclaim
72 2.9

To make a loud high sound often because of fear, pain or excitement

is sudden and loud as well but not necessarily high pitched
to blurt out
vsto exclaim
  • Informal
42 3.9

Say something suddenly without thinking

is sudden too but mainly triggered by surprise or strong emotion
to bellow
vsto exclaim
39 4.7

Shout loudly in a deep voice because you are angry or hurt

is sudden and loud but often from surprise or other strong emotion
to roar
vsto exclaim
31 2.7

To say something in a very loud strong voice

is loud too but usually emphasizes sudden surprise or strong feeling
to trumpet
vsto exclaim
19 3.9

Make a loud, high sound like an elephant or loudly say something to show pride

is sudden and loud mainly because of surprise or strong feeling
to shout out
vsto exclaim
13 4.2

Say something loudly to show strong feeling or get attention

is sudden and loud as an immediate reaction to surprise or emotion
to burst out
vsto exclaim
9 3.3

Suddenly say something or make a loud sound

is specifically a loud sudden utterance caused by surprise or strong feeling
to enthuse
vsto exclaim
4 6.5

To talk about something in an excited way

is sudden and loud mainly because of surprise rather than general excitement
to ejaculate
vsto exclaim
2 8.7

To say something suddenly and loudly because of surprise or strong feeling

has essentially the same sudden and loud meaning with similar use
to holler out
vsto exclaim
  • Informal
2 8.0

Shout loudly to get attention or call someone

is sudden and emotional rather than just calling for attention
to let out a scream
vsto exclaim
1 2.1

To make a loud sudden cry because you are scared, hurt, or surprised

is similar but applies to sudden loud spoken words from surprise
to vociferate
vsto exclaim
  • Formal
1 9.9

Shout loudly with strong feeling, often to protest

is sudden and loud but often private and from surprise rather than protest
to yell bejesus
vsto exclaim
  • Irish
9.9

Shout loudly because you are surprised or shocked

is sudden and loud too but is a neutral description rather than slang
to yell the hell out of
vsto exclaim
  • Informal
8.9

Shout very loudly and with strong feeling, for example in excitement or anger

is loud and sudden too but may be briefer and tied to surprise

Antonyms

586 1.0

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

103 4.9

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

How Loudly

to scream
1.0
to shout
644 1.0
to exclaim
81 3.4
to say
1.0
to murmur
11 4.2

Surface Forms

exclaim infinitive
exclaimed past
exclaimed past participle
exclaiming present participle
exclaims third person singular

Morphology

exclaim = claim (semi-transparent) = ex + claim

While 'ex-' suggests 'out' or 'thoroughly', the specific meaning of 'exclaim' as 'to say something suddenly and loudly' is not fully transparent.

Etymology

Exclaim comes from Latin parts ex- meaning 'out' and clamare meaning 'to shout'. So to exclaim is to 'shout out' a sudden feeling, which is why we use it for loud, surprised words.