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 main trophies got away from them and judging by Alexander Sorloth’s miss against PSG yesterday — enough to drop Diego Simeone to his knees — their tired bodies are crying out for some sand to go with the sun.
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Millions of voices suddenly cried out in pleasure upon learning that Mel Brooks, who turns 99 in less than two weeks, will appear in the forthcoming Spaceballs sequel as the profit-hungry guru Yogurt.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
The fandom is so fierce, Choi said, that when the restaurants temporarily switched ginger purveyors due to a supply shortage two years ago, customers instantly noticed a change in the signature Chinese chicken salad and cried out.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Noah cries out in panic in one scene previewed in the trailer.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
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Phil Hay, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Millions of voices suddenly cried out in pleasure upon learning that Mel Brooks, who turns 99 in less than two weeks, will appear in the forthcoming Spaceballs sequel as the profit-hungry guru Yogurt.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 14 June 2025
The fandom is so fierce, Choi said, that when the restaurants temporarily switched ginger purveyors due to a supply shortage two years ago, customers instantly noticed a change in the signature Chinese chicken salad and cried out.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025
Noah cries out in panic in one scene previewed in the trailer.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 6 June 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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