Synonyms of cries

cries 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cry

1

as in sobs

to shed tears often while making meaningless sounds as a sign of pain or distress

some kids started to cry even before the doctor had given them their shot

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sobs
• weeps
• screams
• grieves
• bawls
• blubbers
• whimpers
• whines
• groans
• moans
• blubs
• laments
• howls
• mourns
• sighs
• greets
• wails
• yowls
• keens
• sniffles
• squalls
• bleats
• mewls
• snivels
• pules

2

as in sings

to utter one's distinctive animal sound

we knew that we were getting very close to the ocean when we could hear sea gulls crying

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sings
• calls

3

as in shouts

to speak so as to be heard at a distance

a mother crying for help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shouts
• yells
• screams
• calls
• hollers
• roars
• bawls
• thunders
• bellows
• sounds off
• shrieks
• bays
• vociferates
• screeches
• squeals
• hollos
• wails
• howls
• shrills
• squeaks
• whoops
• crows
• yowls
• hails
• caterwauls
• yawps
• speaks out
• speaks up
• ululates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whispers
• breathes
• murmurs
• mumbles
• mutters

cries

2 of 2

noun

plural of cry

1

as in howls

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion

a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shouts
• howls
• screams
• shrieks
• yells
• squeals
• hollers
• roars
• yowls
• whoops
• hoots
• yelps
• screeches
• squeaks
• outcries
• interjections
• ejaculations
• bellows
• wails
• shrills
• clamors
• bawls
• squalls
• plaints
• caterwauls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• murmurs
• mutters
• whispers
• gasps
• mumbles
• whimpers

2

as in calls

a natural vocal sound made by an animal

the lonesome cry of a coyote

Synonyms & Similar Words

• calls
• howls
• roars
• barks
• croaks
• callings
• squeals
• notes
• screeches
• chirps
• squeaks
• squawks
• grunts
• yelps
• hoots
• yowls
• crows
• cackles
• brays
• coos
• bleats
• bays
• meows
• honks
• caterwauls
• whinnies
• clucks
• trumpets
• bellows
• cheeps
• caws
• yaps
• blats
• quacks
• neighs
• yips
• oinks
• moos
• lows
• peeps
• mews
• twitters
• squalls
• crakes
• tu-whit tu-whoos

3

as in slogans

an attention-getting word or phrase used to publicize something (as a campaign or product)

"A chance to change America" was the cry on which the candidate was hoping to win the White House

Synonyms & Similar Words

• slogans
• banners
• mottoes
• catchphrases
• shibboleths
• clichés
• watchwords
• expressions
• taglines
• idioms
• war cries
• maxims
• catchwords
• battle cries

4

as in appeals

an earnest request

the king was deaf to their cries

Synonyms & Similar Words

• appeals
• pleas
• prayers
• petitions
• desires
• pleadings
• entreaties
• supplications
• demands
• suits
• solicitations
• calls
• adjurations
• applications
• suppliances
• conjurations
• insistences
• claims
• requisitions

5

as in screams

a sudden short emotional utterance

cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shouts
• screams
• shrieks
• exclamations
• interjections
• ejaculations
• howls
• yells
• squeals
• yelps
• screeches
• squeaks
• oohs
• hollers
• whoops
• yowls
• aahs
• hoots
• squalls

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cries

Verb

On the floor, my brother cries into the carpet, pawing at the ground. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026

In the kitchen, Shannon cries because Vicki, who was so excited about this trip, has basically gone nonverbal. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Cassie Ventura cries during harrowing first day of Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial testimonyNeed a news break? — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

If your child cries, remember that many children settle soon after a parent leaves. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026

In reference to the question that ran on June 30 about the dog that grabs a toy, runs, and then cries, our 6-1/2-year-old goldendoodle does this too. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026

Since 2018, Microsoft has answered those curmudgeons’ cries with the Surface Laptop line, now in its eighth generation. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026

Jennifer Brook cries her own tears for her husband. — Dawn White, CBS News, 28 May 2026

By the beginning of the second episode, Margo has dropped out of school and is the totally broke single mother to a colicky baby, Bodhi, who cries so committedly that two of Margo’s roommates move out. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Lacking life detection equipment, the workers strained to hear their cries. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Each year on the night of September 15, Mexico’s president reenacts the famous grito from the National Palace in Mexico City, ringing the exact same bell Hidalgo did and leading the crowd in cries honoring the heroes of independence. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026

But Tyler said rallies — and generalized rallying cries slamming Democrats — aren’t likely what Republicans need ahead of the midterms. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Walmart has heard your cries, as this early Labor Day deal is a treat for sore eyes. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026

This seven-year-old girl pulled from the rubble after rescue workers heard her cries. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Like with Yates, there have been cries of outrage at Clancy's actions. — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

In a video that began circulating online, at least five officers can be seen, and shrieks, screams, and cries are heard. — Briauna Brown, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

These developments prompted more cries of outrage, including one from the Democratic senator Mark Warner, who has introduced a bill that would ban social-media companies from selling fast access to accounts of government employees. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026