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
Mothers crying out loud for their children, and fathers hugging their children close to their chests.
—
Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
My tower suite featured shuttered windows on all sides that cried out to be flung open.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
This car cries out to be puttered around in, not flogged.
—ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
Officers captured a video of the elusive species stomping its feet and crying out to other gorals in the area, warning them of an intruder in their territory — both common behaviors, according to a comment from the Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Research Station.
—Lauren Liebhaber
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cry out
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Troy Onyango, Time, 24 July 2025
My tower suite featured shuttered windows on all sides that cried out to be flung open.
—Sloane Crosley, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2025
This car cries out to be puttered around in, not flogged.
—ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025
Officers captured a video of the elusive species stomping its feet and crying out to other gorals in the area, warning them of an intruder in their territory — both common behaviors, according to a comment from the Doi Chiang Dao Wildlife Research Station.
—Lauren Liebhaber
july 8, Miami Herald, 8 July 2025
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 29 Jul. 2025.
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