cry 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈkrī How to pronounce cry (audio)
Definition of crynext
1
as in to weep
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 to sing
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
as in to shout
to speak so as to be heard at a distance a mother crying for help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cry

2 of 3

noun

1
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in call
a natural vocal sound made by an animal the lonesome cry of a coyote

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3
as in slogan
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
as in plea
an earnest request the king was deaf to their cries

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

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cry (out)

3 of 3

verb (2)

as in to exclaim
to utter with a sudden burst of strong feeling "I can't stand it!" he cried out

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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 cry
Verb
Because every real hero deserves a happy ending in more ways than one, and the chance to click their heels and cry, There’s no place like Hamm. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 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
Noun
Everything from the division of the Peaches and the Plums to Shamea’s tagline this season is a secret cry from Shamea to Porsha, begging for attention under the guise of her own emancipation. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 29 June 2026 For some, the good news started with a whisper — or a baby’s cry. — Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cry
  1. weep
  2. sing
  3. shout
  4. howl
  5. call
  6. slogan
  7. plea
  8. scream
Verb
  • Iran's own political leaders — the president, parliament speaker, foreign minister and others — filed in to weep and pray on Friday morning.
    — Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Parents wept over the loss of their children, while mothers and other female relatives cried and beat their chests in grief.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of weep
Verb
  • Knowing when to stand, when to sing and when to boo the visiting team is part of what makes a home game feel like home.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
  • Placing a special focus on R&B and new music discovery, Grice often weaves games into his variety show; a particularly viral bit asks guests to sing in a game of word association.
    — Rachel Brodsky, Time, 14 July 2026
Definition of sing
Verb
  • In a separate video, others were heard shouting at the TSA agent, questioning whether something would be done about the incident.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The dialogue, meanwhile, is played hilariously straight — good luck finding a laugh among these uncharted stars — and often consists of someone shouting another character's name.
    — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • Her Valley girl howl will stop you in your tracks, proclaiming friendship, revolution, and, yeah, lust.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Things that made your red-eyed soul sing and howl are few and far between.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of howl
Noun
  • The call led to a massive local, state and federal law enforcement presence racing up the one-lane road to the campsite, located 2,000 feet up in rough terrain in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, authorities said.
    — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • The same day, Smith, who had said during the Zoom call that the family should not be contacted in writing, called Swinehart.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Definition of call
Noun
  • At first, the slogan was seen as a rallying cry for dorks with expendable income.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 10 July 2026
  • The Samsung exhibition stand features the prominent ''A new era of mobile agentic AI'' slogan by the South Korean company Samsung Electronics.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of slogan
Noun
  • Ahead of the summit, Zelensky is using the attacks on Kyiv to renew his plea for allies to supply Ukraine with missiles for Patriot systems.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Robinson has not yet entered a plea, and his attorneys have not commented on his guilt or innocence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Definition of plea
Noun
  • Later that pitch-black night, Erez steps to the edge of her terrace, looks down at the sleepy city below, and lets out a blood-curdling scream.
    — Marisa Fox, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026
  • For Lind, the endeavor was less about being a scream queen and more about shepherding a production.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026
Definition of scream

Phrases Containing cry

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cruxes
cry
crybabies
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Cite this Entry

“Cry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cry. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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