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 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

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

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

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

That kind of front-loading also gives parents a buffer if a child freezes up, cries or needs an extra hug before heading out. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

For all its characteristic restraint and formal diligence, Killing Spree is a book that wants to make noise, to cut through the dead air with cries of grief and rage, undoing our own savage torpor. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026

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