cry out
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
Some people climbed the remnants of buildings and cried out names, hoping for any proof of life.
—
Regina Cano Garcia,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Their mother cried out in anguish.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Her spawn siblings cried out as she was carried past them.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
The video showed that during the second time, the dog latched onto Evans’ left forearm and violently thrashed as Evans cried out in pain.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cry out
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Regina Cano Garcia,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
Their mother cried out in anguish.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Her spawn siblings cried out as she was carried past them.
—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
26 June 2026
The video showed that during the second time, the dog latched onto Evans’ left forearm and violently thrashed as Evans cried out in pain.
—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for cry out
Cite this Entry
“Cry out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cry%20out. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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