cry out
phrasal verb
cried out; crying out; cries out
1
: to make a loud sound because of pain, fear, surprise, etc.
She cried out in pain.
2
: to speak in a loud voice : to say something loudly or from a distance
We could hear them on the shore crying out to us, so we waved.
She cried out for help.
3
—used to say that something clearly needs or should have a particular thing, person, use, etc. —often + to be
A chair like this cries out to be used, not kept in some museum.
The meal cried out to be eaten with a nice white wine.
—often + forThe meal cried out for a nice white wine.
The job cries out for someone who's not afraid to take chances.
Examples of cry out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Jarek cries out in rage as my brother races toward me, slipping between the other Guardians.
—
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
With its massive debt load and facing structural headwinds, the new-look Paramount is crying out for a financier who understands the industry and is willing to stake his reputation on it.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Fans cried out the Black Sabbath star’s name as Kelly and her brother, Jack, escorted their mother Sharon to lay flowers atop the many bouquets from his admirers.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 2 Aug. 2025
Yet all is calm and stillness in the houses and in the streets; of the fifty thousand living in a town, there is not one who would cry out, who would give vent to his indignation aloud.
—Philip Metres
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
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.
Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
With its massive debt load and facing structural headwinds, the new-look Paramount is crying out for a financier who understands the industry and is willing to stake his reputation on it.
—John Hyatt, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Fans cried out the Black Sabbath star’s name as Kelly and her brother, Jack, escorted their mother Sharon to lay flowers atop the many bouquets from his admirers.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 2 Aug. 2025
Yet all is calm and stillness in the houses and in the streets; of the fifty thousand living in a town, there is not one who would cry out, who would give vent to his indignation aloud.
—Philip Metres
july 30, Literary Hub, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
Cite this Entry
“Cry out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cry%20out. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share