cry

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noun

Definition of CRY

1

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion <a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared>

Synonyms cry, holler, hoot, howl, whoop, yell, yowl

Related Words ejaculation, interjection; scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeak, squeal, yelp; bawl, bellow, clamor, outcry, roar; caterwaul, plaint, wail

Near Antonyms mumble, murmur, mutter; gasp, whimper, whisper

2

a natural vocal sound made by an animal <the lonesome cry of a coyote>

Synonyms cry, note

Related Words bark, bay, bellow, blat, bleat, bray, cackle, calling, caterwaul, caw, cheep, chirp, cluck, coo, crake, croak, crow, grunt, honk, hoot, howl, low, meow (also miaow), mew, moo, neigh, oink, peep, quack, roar, screech, squall, squawk, squeak, squeal, trumpet, tu-whit tu-whoo, twitter, whinny, yap, yelp, yip, yowl

3

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>

Synonyms banner, catchphrase, cry, shibboleth, tagline, watchword

Related Words expression, idiom; catchword, cliché (also cliche); maxim, motto; battle cry, war cry

4

an earnest request <the king was deaf to their cries>

Synonyms adjuration, appeal, conjuration, cry, desire, entreaty, petition, pleading, prayer, solicitation, suit, suppliance, supplication

Related Words application, requisition; call, claim, demand, insistence

5

a sudden short emotional utterance <cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture>

Synonyms cry, ejaculation, interjection

Related Words aah (also ah), ooh; holler, hoot, howl, shout, whoop, yell, yelp, yowl; scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeak, squeal