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
Relevance
2
3
as in shouts
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
a mother crying for help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calls
a natural vocal sound made by an animal
the lonesome cry of a coyote
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
4
as in appeals
an earnest request
the king was deaf to their cries
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cries
Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 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
An old movie in which a character cries at old movies takes an even faster path to tears, yet even then, age is the subject.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Paranoia and loneliness are what I'm left clinging to as my husband cries in the room next door.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
As the child incessantly cries day and night, Henry begins to have surreal visions that only an innovative mind like Lynch's could devise.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The toddler cries more, throws tantrums.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The episode ends as John walks out among Carolyn’s cries.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Cara could hear the dead, including the cries of her infant son calling her to visit the bay’s shores every night.
—Omari Weekes, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
David’s mother buried her head into her husband’s shoulders, trying to muffle her cries.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
There are cries from activists to set Wikie and Keijo free, but they were born in captivity and lack the skills necessary to survive.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at least for myself, some of the most satisfying movie cries are about feeling appreciative, not sad.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Her character sings, cries and endures a Greek tragedy of a downfall, but instead of being a caricature, Chastain finds the soul of a complex, good-hearted woman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
New phone footage leaked to TMZ appears to show Paul putting Mortensen in a choke hold and hurling metal chairs at him; a child cries.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vulture, 20 Mar. 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
An old movie in which a character cries at old movies takes an even faster path to tears, yet even then, age is the subject.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Paranoia and loneliness are what I'm left clinging to as my husband cries in the room next door.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
As the child incessantly cries day and night, Henry begins to have surreal visions that only an innovative mind like Lynch's could devise.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The toddler cries more, throws tantrums.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
Ave Maria, Florida — One Wednesday this month, loud cries erupted from two teenage girls huddled over a cellphone in the parking lot of a local supermarket.
—Deidre McPhillips, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The episode ends as John walks out among Carolyn’s cries.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 20 Mar. 2026
Cara could hear the dead, including the cries of her infant son calling her to visit the bay’s shores every night.
—Omari Weekes, The New York Review of Books, 19 Mar. 2026
David’s mother buried her head into her husband’s shoulders, trying to muffle her cries.
—Julia Prodis Sulek, Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2026
There are cries from activists to set Wikie and Keijo free, but they were born in captivity and lack the skills necessary to survive.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at least for myself, some of the most satisfying movie cries are about feeling appreciative, not sad.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Her character sings, cries and endures a Greek tragedy of a downfall, but instead of being a caricature, Chastain finds the soul of a complex, good-hearted woman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cries
Verb
-
The glow of hundreds of candles illuminated somber faces, sobs often cutting through the silence in the crisp spring air.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The recording of the call is harrowing and gut-wrenching as Denise Lee sobs and begs for her life.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Best Roman Shades Contributor Lila Allen sings the brand’s praises for the custom curtain offerings available, as well.—
Nashia Baker,
Architectural Digest,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The caged bird sings with a fearful trillof things unknown but longed for stilland his tune is heard on the distant hillfor the caged bird sings of freedom.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Molina-Mulcahy additionally shouts out color as a major sunglasses trend for 2026.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Patientce Foster, her long-time creative director, shouts in approval.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In response to howls of protest, the commission has agreed to a 180-day moratorium on severing the ties with PBS.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Happney, while speaking about more than 16,000 reports of potential child abuse the Youth and Family Services department received in 2025, said those calls only happened because people watched closely.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Hours were spent on Zoom calls with Garden (based in England) poring over match film on Wyscout, Olsson quick to point out the flaws and areas of improvement and Garden quicker to point out the strengths.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
From that moment through the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, the city has cycled through slogans and logos — but keeps coming back to the heart, including in the upcoming World Cup.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
But the images and slogans roaring across social media in this first month of the war in Iran may be something new.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The case was originally set for trial this summer, but the trial is on hold until the appeals are complete.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The older two initially resist their parents’ appeals to immerse themselves in nature, but the youngest, who is mute, explores the area and finds a magical tree inhabited by a group of extraordinary characters.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The junior left-hander, who is committed to TCU, celebrated just about every out with exuberance Tuesday, letting out loud screams and breaking out fist pumps after each strikeout.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Several husky owners echoed how quickly the screams can escalate.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cries. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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