cry wolf

phrase

: to give alarm unnecessarily
News organizations have been warned not to cry wolf.

Word History

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cry wolf was in 1858

Rhymes for cry wolf

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Browse Nearby Words

cry up
cry wolf
cs
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Cite this Entry

“Cry wolf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cry%20wolf. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Definition revised
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