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
The Skin of Our Teeth, musical or not, practically cries out for maximalism, and Silverman is by nature restrained.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
In another clip, Kash recorded from inside her purse and captured her daughter pushing and crying out in pain.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
On forums, hikers have discussed experiencing unusual energy, seen floating lights, or 19th century shadowy figures crying out in the night.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 16 Oct. 2025
Jones says that manufacturers, foreign or domestic, are simply crying out for certainty and clear policy directions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
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Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2025
In another clip, Kash recorded from inside her purse and captured her daughter pushing and crying out in pain.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
On forums, hikers have discussed experiencing unusual energy, seen floating lights, or 19th century shadowy figures crying out in the night.
—Emilee Coblentz, Outside, 16 Oct. 2025
Jones says that manufacturers, foreign or domestic, are simply crying out for certainty and clear policy directions.
—IEEE Spectrum, 9 Oct. 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 20 Nov. 2025.
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