cry out
phrasal verb
cried out; crying out; cries out
1
: to make a loud sound because of pain, fear, surprise, etc.
She cried out in pain.
2
: to speak in a loud voice : to say something loudly or from a distance
We could hear them on the shore crying out to us, so we waved.
She cried out for help.
3
—used to say that something clearly needs or should have a particular thing, person, use, etc. —often + to be
A chair like this cries out to be used, not kept in some museum.
The meal cried out to be eaten with a nice white wine.
—often + forThe meal cried out for a nice white wine.
The job cries out for someone who's not afraid to take chances.
Examples of cry out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Chiefs haters will cry out that total penalty numbers are irrelevant, because the refs’ bias truly shows in the game’s most important moments.
—
Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Monáe cried out midway through the electrifying performance.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Today, the echoes of those victims cry out for recognition and justice.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Everton have been crying out for a player with the Dane’s speed to break the lines.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cry out 
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Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Monáe cried out midway through the electrifying performance.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Today, the echoes of those victims cry out for recognition and justice.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
Everton have been crying out for a player with the Dane’s speed to break the lines.
—Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cry out
Dictionary Entries Near cry out
Cite this Entry
“Cry out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cry%20out. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
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