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
Families cried out as a medic announced the names of victims identified by their fingerprints.
—
John Bacon, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
Two Gen-Zers behind me keep up a running commentary, crying out in dismay every time Kevin lies on a bed with his shoes on.
—Erin Somers, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Issues such as the global clean energy transition, the need to regulate social media and artificial intelligence, and the return of a nuclear arms race cry out for a return to great-power negotiations instead of dangerous escalation and unsustainable defense spending.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024
This case occurred when an otter cub was captured in a fishing net and pulled to shore while crying out in distress.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cry out 
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John Bacon, USA TODAY, 29 Dec. 2024
Two Gen-Zers behind me keep up a running commentary, crying out in dismay every time Kevin lies on a bed with his shoes on.
—Erin Somers, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024
Issues such as the global clean energy transition, the need to regulate social media and artificial intelligence, and the return of a nuclear arms race cry out for a return to great-power negotiations instead of dangerous escalation and unsustainable defense spending.
—Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024
This case occurred when an otter cub was captured in a fishing net and pulled to shore while crying out in distress.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2024
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 8 Jan. 2025.
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