cry out

Yell in alarm

To cry out is to shout or exclaim suddenly, often from pain, fear, or strong emotion: She cried out when she saw the spider.

The phrase also means to demand urgently—a situation that cries out for reform clearly needs it.

To cry out against something is to protest it vocally.

alarm

scream

Loud sharp cry

shriekShrill, piercing cry
warningAlert about danger
shoutLoud vocal outburst

yell · alert · distress call · howl · wail · bellow · holler · screech · exclamation · panic

anguish

wail

Prolonged mournful cry

sobConvulsive weeping
moanLow vocal complaint
weepShed tears emotionally

lament · keen · howl · groan · whimper · bawl · grief · sorrow · agony · torment

plea

beg

Ask with desperation

imploreUrge with desperation
pleadAsk urgently or formally
beseechPlead urgently with someone

entreat · supplicate · appeal · invoke · pray · mercy · help me · intercede · urge · call upon

protest

object

Tangible entity or aim

denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
demandForceful request or requirement
opposeAct against something

decry · voice · dissent · injustice · rally · demonstration · march · petition · resist · defy

Categories

fear reactionsscream, scared, gasp, terrified, flinch
speaking upspeak up, speak freely, voice, give voice, have a say
exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
loud soundsloud, scream, yell, thunderous, screaming
persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing

Opposites

volume/audibility

cry outwhisper

Speech without full voice

murmur · mumble · mutter · speak softly · breathe

vocal action vs silence

cry outsay nothing

Refrain from speaking

hold one's tongue · keep quiet · silence · bite one's tongue · keep mum

emotional expression

cry outsuppress

Forcibly put an end to

hold back · contain oneself · bottle up · repress · internalize

Family

cry, out, outcry, cried out, criers, outcries, crying out

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G