cries 1 of 2

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

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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

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3

cries

2 of 2

noun

plural of cry
1
2
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

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4
5
as in screams
a sudden short emotional utterance cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cries
Verb
The guy even cries a bit after winning, hoping to make his family at home proud. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025 To test how adults respond, scientists played 23 different recordings of baby cries to 41 men and women with little to no infant-care experience. Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025 This is one of the worst of them, with Alec Baldwin bravely fighting to bring Medgar Evers’s assassin to justice while Whoopi Goldberg cheers him on and cries. Will Leitch, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2025 Faustus cries, as demons, closing the deal, prepare to pull him down to the pit. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 In episode 3, which came out in April, Howard’s character cries when Seth Rogen’s studio head character gives him a difficult piece of feedback, resulting in Howard angrily throwing his signature baseball cap at him. Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025 Milk leaks from the breast when the baby cries, no real thoughts passed between mother and child. Ellyn Gaydos august 11, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2025 In the video about starvation that drew the condemnation of the IDF, al-Sharif cries as a woman collapses from hunger behind him. Richard Hall, Time, 11 Aug. 2025 The emotions become too much for her, and Belly breaks down and cries into her pillow. Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
Fortunately, Amazon heard my cries and slashed prices on its most popular cozy knits ahead of its fall Prime Day extravaganza, which kicks off on Tuesday, October 7. Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025 Their cries could indicate the pack is hurt or in trouble. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 During the closing Neilah service after night has fallen, the practice concludes with the cries of the Shema prayer before the congregation erupts into song and dance. Krys'tal Griffin, Freep.com, 2 Oct. 2025 The cries to even the playing field, from both the players and the unions, are unlikely to cease between now and the expiration of the CBA. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025 Since Kimmel’s remark, the backlash has shifted from conservative furor to cries of capitulation, coming from Capitol Hill Democrats, to former President Barack Obama, to former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 Sep. 2025 The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 19 Sep. 2025 The cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry. NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025 All of the killings happened within 7 miles across two grazing allotments, and range riders and shepherds reported hearing wolf cries in the area on several occasions. Katie Langford, Denver Post, 6 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cries
Verb
  • Darcey sobs as Georgi continues to defend himself for not easily opening up to others.
    Abigail Adams, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025
  • Dever threw the compliment right back at Pascal and Ramsey, for the scene when Ramsey’s Ellie sobs over Joel’s lifeless body.
    Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In the song, Swift seemingly sings about her winding road to love with the NFL star, describing past relationships before her fairytale romance with Kelce.
    Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Contributor Lila Allen sings the brand’s praises for the custom curtain offerings available, as well.
    Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Ben shouts out of his car window.
    Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Shannon shouts, her words drifting back to Jenn in the rear seat.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • More importantly, the most recent of these sightings, just two years ago, was by a railroad passenger, so keep a lookout for a tall, hairy figure, or for massive footprints, which are also commonly reported, and listen for the mysterious creature’s spine-tingling howls.
    The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For now, Browning — still in line to start a fourth consecutive game despite an array of problems that have led to being outscored 69-9 in the first halves of the last three games — will be receiving those calls.
    Paul Dehner Jr, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The referees put themselves in a spotlight with a few tough calls, but the Chiefs put themselves squarely in it, too.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Museums educate citizens, not through slogans, but through context.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The slogans are simple, intimate, needy, and impossible to avoid.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • So while the shutdown is set to disrupt a wide range of federal programs, the SSA will continue holding appointments for benefit applications, considering appeals requests, and issuing original and replacement Social Security cards, among other services.
    Solcyré Burga, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Lazar currently holds one of four seats on the District II panel, which hears appeals from 12 counties in southeastern Wisconsin, excluding Milwaukee County, which is its own district.
    Mary Spicuzza, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Blood curdling screams and chains scraping against the ground can be heard throughout the prison.
    Paige Moore, AZCentral.com, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The women in the audience gave him frenzied screams.
    Scott Huver, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cries. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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