cry 1 of 2

verb

ˈkrī How to pronounce cry (audio)
Definition of crynext
1
as in to weep
to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress some kids started to cry even before the doctor had given them their shot

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2
as in to sing
to utter one's distinctive animal sound we knew that we were getting very close to the ocean when we could hear sea gulls crying

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3
as in to shout
to speak so as to be heard at a distance a mother crying for help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cry

2 of 2

noun

1
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in call
a natural vocal sound made by an animal the lonesome cry of a coyote

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3
as in slogan
an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product) "A chance to change America" was the cry on which the candidate was hoping to win the White House

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4
as in plea
an earnest request the king was deaf to their cries

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5
as in scream
a sudden short emotional utterance cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture

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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 cry
Verb
Throughout Namani’s address, Huang’s mother sat collapsed with her head on her knees while Parrilla’s mom cried silently in the row behind her. — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026 To cut onions without crying, try chilling them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes first. — Martha Stewart, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
Lacking life detection equipment, the workers strained to hear their cries. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026 The anticipation builds until the silence is pierced by the curling cry of the ancient instrument. — Ben Corn, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cry
  1. weep
  2. sing
  3. shout
  4. howl
  5. call
  6. slogan
  7. plea
  8. scream
Verb
  • The prosecutor argued the beatings basically never stopped, claiming footage showed nannies beating one child, then turning their violence toward any of the other toddlers who wept while watching.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Ambulances were seen leaving the hospital to bring the children's bodies home as mourners wept and wailed.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of weep
Verb
  • The result is a synthetic rhythm section—a voice mimicking a synthesizer that mimics a bass guitar—that precedes a very human chorus from Please, who does not sing so much as plead, several octaves higher.
    — Samuel Hyland, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2026
  • There is of course another way to hear ABBA songs sung live onstage, though sadly without Greek island backdrops or background singers wearing floppy swim fins.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of sing
Verb
  • Lil’ Randy shouts repeatedly as he is hauled off, a great ending to a pretty great episode.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The drunk-and-disorderly charge is linked to a December incident, in which Minton is accused of shouting and cursing at patrons of a tattoo studio in Hickory, court records show.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • The second slide was a video (without sound) of the couple’s first kiss, which King prefaced with what looked like a howl of joy, followed by a series of passionate kisses and an arms-in-the-air yelp from the groom.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
  • With every whimper, sigh, howl, bark and head tilt, these dogs create an empathetic portrayal of a highly intelligent creature that has been through battle and has the scars (and nightmares) to prove it.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of howl
Noun
  • This is a call to action for this new cohort of captains to continue the legacy set before them by decades of philanthropists.
    — Melissa Stevens, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The Kremlin readout of the call suggested progress had actually been made on the humanitarian front.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • And strength to resist reducing complex human challenges to slogans, enemies, or simple answers.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The first one, released in 1986, featured Stevie Ray Vaughan playing guitar in front of a huge Texas flag and uttering the now-famous slogan into the camera.
    — Katie Standing, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of slogan
Noun
  • In addition to being barred from ever owning livestock again, Barr’s plea agreement prevents him from owning or living with any type of animal for 15 years, according to PETA.
    — Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The judge also cited the defendant’s guilty plea, which avoided a lengthy trial, his cooperation with police, lack of a criminal record and his remorsefulness as factors in her decision.
    — Menelaos Hadjicostis, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • The Boston Blue star literally leaned into the moment, laying his head on Osmond’s shoulder as the two men smiled and soaked up the rapturous screams from the audience.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The band’s hard edges come from a collision of metal and punk, reggae and hardcore, and melody with throat-ripping screams.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream

Phrases Containing cry

Browse Nearby Words

cruxes
cry
crybabies
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Cite this Entry

“Cry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cry. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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