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

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

In another concert, Mikis Theodorakis comes on stage with his son, and my father cries again. — Literary Hub, 20 July 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

Kelli cries over how solid the Mwangi unit is, praising Gerald as a father and husband and affirming that Shamea’s ass is real, while everyone else looks on, bewildered. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 June 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

In the spot, Shane sits in a middle seat next to a chatty flier while a baby cries in the background. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Many first-time parents worry about how others might react if a baby cries on a flight, but experienced travelers say those concerns are often unnecessary, Kay said. — Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

Noun

Martin was then immediately handcuffed and arrested as the little girl’s cries were heard from inside the car. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026

The cries of seagulls, water lapping against the boat, the rumble of engines and the arrival of speedboats ferrying cast and crew give the sense of sharing the actors’ long waits on the open water. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

Some 30 seconds into flight, lightning struck the rocket, leading to awestruck cries from crowds gathered nearby to watch the launch. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 July 2026

Down the hall, just a few seconds later, a different woman gave birth to a little girl named Yasmina, whose cries could hardly be heard over the sound of the explosions around her. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 July 2026

Lost in all their cries is that many soccer experts believe that Balogun’s move did not merit a red card. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026

After several hours, Leonel's cries gave way to silence, Márquez said. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

After several hours, Leonel’s cries gave way to silence, Márquez said. — Fernanda Pesce, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

The castles burnt out one after another amid the joyous cries of the multitude. — Literary Hub, 1 July 2026