CRIES Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

cries 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of cry

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

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as in sings

to utter one's distinctive animal sound we knew that we were getting very close to the ocean when we could hear sea gulls crying

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sings
calls

as in shouts

to speak so as to be heard at a distance a mother crying for help

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cries

2 of 2

noun

plural of cry

as in howls

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion a cry of despair arose when the smoke of the bomb blast cleared

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in calls

a natural vocal sound made by an animal the lonesome cry of a coyote

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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

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as in appeals

an earnest request the king was deaf to their cries

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as in screams

a sudden short emotional utterance cries of disbelief greeted the announcement of the surprise winner for best picture

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cries

Verb

If your child cries, remember that many children settle soon after a parent leaves. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 6 Aug. 2026 In reference to the question that ran on June 30 about the dog that grabs a toy, runs, and then cries, our 6-1/2-year-old goldendoodle does this too. — Cathy M. Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026 In another concert, Mikis Theodorakis comes on stage with his son, and my father cries again. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 Since 2018, Microsoft has answered those curmudgeons’ cries with the Surface Laptop line, now in its eighth generation. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 9 July 2026 Kelli cries over how solid the Mwangi unit is, praising Gerald as a father and husband and affirming that Shamea’s ass is real, while everyone else looks on, bewildered. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 8 June 2026 Jennifer Brook cries her own tears for her husband. — Dawn White, CBS News, 28 May 2026 By the beginning of the second episode, Margo has dropped out of school and is the totally broke single mother to a colicky baby, Bodhi, who cries so committedly that two of Margo’s roommates move out. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026 In the spot, Shane sits in a middle seat next to a chatty flier while a baby cries in the background. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

That kind of front-loading also gives parents a buffer if a child freezes up, cries or needs an extra hug before heading out. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026 Witness accounts describe chaotic scene In the video, as many as five officers can be seen, and shrieks, screams, and cries are heard. — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 For all its characteristic restraint and formal diligence, Killing Spree is a book that wants to make noise, to cut through the dead air with cries of grief and rage, undoing our own savage torpor. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Certainly, candidates have run against namesakes before, and have faced cries of foul play. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 Martin was then immediately handcuffed and arrested as the little girl’s cries were heard from inside the car. — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 Some 30 seconds into flight, lightning struck the rocket, leading to awestruck cries from crowds gathered nearby to watch the launch. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 July 2026 Down the hall, just a few seconds later, a different woman gave birth to a little girl named Yasmina, whose cries could hardly be heard over the sound of the explosions around her. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 After several hours, Leonel's cries gave way to silence, Márquez said. — ABC News, 6 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cries

Verb

The dramatic clip finds Reid and a male love interest performing an armed robbery at a convenience store before enjoying a romance and running from the cops — who ultimately cuff the man in the end, as the Missing star sobs in fear.

— Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing.

— Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Definition of sobs

Verb

Her special new brand of perreo melancolía features guest vocals by Drake (who sings in Spanish), Bruno Mars, Greg Gonzalez (of Cigarettes After Sex), as well as Spanish stars Judeline and Rusowsky.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026
SpaceX sings on soaring AI costs watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of sings

Verb

That video shows three boys scrubbing the floor and walls of a room in the school with rags as Morrison shouts commands and admonishments.

— Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 24 July 2026
In the background, an adult voice shouts at the bear, helping to scare the animal off.

— Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of shouts

Noun

Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Definition of howls

Noun

Trump himself has answered questions from the media in Oval Office availabilities or on his way to Marine One, and has taken calls directly from reporters who have his personal cell phone number.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
The city received 150 calls through the myAurora 311 app requesting clean-up assistance or reporting debris on roads Wednesday, said city officials.

— Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of calls

Noun

Lower courts had tossed out the last-ditch appeals to save Bruce by concluding the animal rescue lacked a concrete interest in the dog's survival sufficient to challenge the dangerousness finding by local authorities.

— Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
If successful, the appeals could potentially lead to lower costs tied to the jury trial awards.

— Sean Emery, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of appeals

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criers

cries

cries down

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Style

“Cries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cries. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cries

verb

noun

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