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
When the shots were fired, Mahdi cried out, then started breathing heavily.
—
Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 May 2025
Education is another sector crying out for better accessibility.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 7 May 2025
The beating continued even after he was restrained and crying out for his mother.
—Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
At this word, the other senators cry out in protest.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
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Chiara Eisner, NPR, 8 May 2025
Education is another sector crying out for better accessibility.
—Simon Hill, Wired News, 7 May 2025
The beating continued even after he was restrained and crying out for his mother.
—Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
At this word, the other senators cry out in protest.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 May 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 23 May. 2025.
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