1
as in sobs
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
3
as in shouts
to speak so as to be heard at a distance
a mother crying for help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in howls
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion
a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calls
a natural vocal sound made by an animal
the lonesome cry of a coyote
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in slogans
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in appeals
an earnest request
the king was deaf to their cries
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in screams
a sudden short emotional utterance
cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of cries
Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Many first-time parents worry about how others might react if a baby cries on a flight, but experienced travelers say those concerns are often unnecessary, Kay said.
—Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
An old movie in which a character cries at old movies takes an even faster path to tears, yet even then, age is the subject.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Paranoia and loneliness are what I'm left clinging to as my husband cries in the room next door.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
As the child incessantly cries day and night, Henry begins to have surreal visions that only an innovative mind like Lynch's could devise.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The toddler cries more, throws tantrums.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at least for myself, some of the most satisfying movie cries are about feeling appreciative, not sad.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Her character sings, cries and endures a Greek tragedy of a downfall, but instead of being a caricature, Chastain finds the soul of a complex, good-hearted woman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Blood coated the ground; sirens and cries replaced the music of the night.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Magnano then fires nine shots toward Jones, Jones immediately collapses to the ground as people in the area could be heard letting out horrific screams and cries.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
Taylor cries from inside her room.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 14 Mar. 2026
Many first-time parents worry about how others might react if a baby cries on a flight, but experienced travelers say those concerns are often unnecessary, Kay said.
—Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026
An old movie in which a character cries at old movies takes an even faster path to tears, yet even then, age is the subject.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Néfissa cries loudly and with anguish about her son, but refuses to acknowledge his truth.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026
Paranoia and loneliness are what I'm left clinging to as my husband cries in the room next door.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 2 Feb. 2026
As the child incessantly cries day and night, Henry begins to have surreal visions that only an innovative mind like Lynch's could devise.
—Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Jan. 2026
Sophie holds back and cries in her room.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
The toddler cries more, throws tantrums.
—Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
There are cries from activists to set Wikie and Keijo free, but they were born in captivity and lack the skills necessary to survive.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
In fact, at least for myself, some of the most satisfying movie cries are about feeling appreciative, not sad.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Her character sings, cries and endures a Greek tragedy of a downfall, but instead of being a caricature, Chastain finds the soul of a complex, good-hearted woman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Blood coated the ground; sirens and cries replaced the music of the night.
—Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 8 Mar. 2026
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.
—Sean Emery, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 3 Mar. 2026
Magnano then fires nine shots toward Jones, Jones immediately collapses to the ground as people in the area could be heard letting out horrific screams and cries.
—Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cries
Verb
-
The recording of the call is harrowing and gut-wrenching as Denise Lee sobs and begs for her life.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
-
There are a few inarticulate screams and sobs but no dialogue, no lyrics, no spoken intro, no utterances at all.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Avendaño sings this L’Oréal mascara ‘s praises, zooming in on its easy-to-remove formula and effective brush.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Miles Caton’s character, Sammie, sings and strums the guitar as the spirits of Black musicians and performers — past, present and future — weave through the juke joint.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Cunningham shouts to the entire congregation that the soul is not destroyed by death.—
Lincee Ray,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Koy shouts, his excitement echoing in the stadium.—
Deputy Entertainment,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As the howls got louder, the mother eagle woke up.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Police then received multiple calls from residents who were experiencing respiratory irritation, and a hazmat incident was initiated.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
All calls will be kept confidential.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Coke, to quote from one of the company’s many famous ad slogans can add life to many media properties.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
-
In Madrid, thousands chanted slogans against the war and expressed solidarity with civilians affected by the conflict.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Wacocha said the appeals process could take anywhere from weeks to months.—
Jason Rantala,
CBS News,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Anglo‑Saxon England converted to Christianity over the seventh century, so some of the charms included appeals to Jesus, Mary, and the apostles.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The silence has transformed into screams.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, there were many loud screams in the theater and the smashes seemed plenty.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cries. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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