cry for help
Desperate plea outward
A cry for help is an action—often indirect or symbolic—that signals someone is struggling and needs support.
Self-destructive behavior, dramatic gestures, or unusual outbursts may be interpreted as cries for help: The therapist saw her overdose as a cry for help rather than a genuine suicide attempt.
The phrase sometimes carries dismissive undertones, implying the person wants attention rather than actually wanting to die or suffer.
Alert requesting urgent aid
- SOSMorse distress code
- maydayRadio emergency signal
- 911Crisis response number
- emergency callUrgent contact seeking aid
flare · beacon · siren · panic button · alert · warning · code red · distress
Support or aid given
- aidSupport given freely
- lifelineEssential connection to safety
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
- reliefEasing of distress
succor · samaritan · reinforcements · backup · support · salvation · deliverance · response
Intense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- hopelessnessState without hope
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
suffering · agony · torment · crisis · dire straits · meltdown · dread · trauma
Formal review request
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
- supplicationHumble plea for help
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
- beggingEarnest desperate requesting
beseeching · prayer · intercession · reaching out · asking · requesting · soliciting · pleading
distress signal
Alert requesting urgent aid
emergency call · flare · beacon · siren · panic button · alert · warning · code red · distress · rescue
assistance
Support or aid given
- aidSupport given freely
- lifelineEssential connection to safety
- interventionPurposeful involvement to change course
relief · succor · samaritan · reinforcements · backup · support · salvation · deliverance · response · answering the call
anguish
Intense mental suffering
- despairTotal absence of hope
- hopelessnessState without hope
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
fear · suffering · agony · torment · crisis · dire straits · meltdown · dread · trauma · struggle
appeal
Formal review request
- entreatyEarnest, urgent request
- supplicationHumble plea for help
- imploringUrgently requesting with emotion
begging · beseeching · prayer · intercession · reaching out · asking · requesting · soliciting · pleading · invoking
- pleasplea, pleas, please, prayers, entreaty
- seeking helpasking, requesting, SOS, mayday, distress call
- desperate measureslast resort, desperate plea, desperation move, last ditch, last chance
- prayersOur Father, morning prayers, Lord's Prayer, daily prayers, evening prayers
cry for helpself-reliance
Depending on oneself alone
show of strength · going it alone · pulling oneself up by one's bootstraps · rugged individualism · self-sufficiency
cry for helptaking matters into one's own hands
Acting independently without permission
fighting back · taking action · problem-solving · empowerment
help, cry, helper, helping, crying, helped, cries, helps, cried