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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

sings
calls

as in shouts

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in calls

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

as in appeals

an earnest request the king was deaf to their cries

Synonyms & Similar Words

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. 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

In the other van, Gen cries tears of pride and fulfillment after Aesha and Nathan praise her performance in the last charter. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026 On the floor, my brother cries into the carpet, pawing at the ground. — Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026 Cassie Ventura cries during harrowing first day of Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial testimonyNeed a news break? — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026 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 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 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

Noun

Her friend’s cries mixed with the sound of police car sirens before officers arrived and escorted students and staff out the building. — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026 When news got around that a new movie version of Sense and Sensibility was in the works, cries of dismay rang forth from Bath to Brooklyn. — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 Over cries of foul from those who came in person, the board’s attorney Shayla Myers announced the meeting was canceled because the Zoom channel had a capacity of only 1,000. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026 Lacking life detection equipment, the workers strained to hear their cries. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026 Each year on the night of September 15, Mexico’s president reenacts the famous grito from the National Palace in Mexico City, ringing the exact same bell Hidalgo did and leading the crowd in cries honoring the heroes of independence. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026 But Tyler said rallies — and generalized rallying cries slamming Democrats — aren’t likely what Republicans need ahead of the midterms. — Will Weissert, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026 Walmart has heard your cries, as this early Labor Day deal is a treat for sore eyes. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026 This seven-year-old girl pulled from the rubble after rescue workers heard her cries. — ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cries

Verb

My public screening was awash — nearly literally — with sniffles and sobs.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of sobs

Verb

Back in September, Muna announced that McPherson, who plays guitar, synths, and sings in the band, would need to miss several tour dates to look after their mother, Harriet, who was in the terminal stages of a cancer battle.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2026
One may write a poem, while another paints or sings about it.

— CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of sings

Verb

Hollywell nods in agreement, and shouts out all the graffiti artists and other creatives who are still nearby.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
While one fan shouts criticism at an official’s call at Mira Costa High, Grandma and Grandpa Reis calmly and confidently root for their grandsons, Christian, a running back, and Weston, a linebacker.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of shouts

Noun

The meeting touched off a month of around-the-clock calls and video conferences.

— Cate Brown, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026
Facebook was found to have deceived its users through statements and remarks made on its own platforms, interviews, earnings calls and other channels.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of calls

Noun

Under the collective bargaining agreement, appeals will be heard by one of four people — former players Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson and James Thrash, or former coach Ron Rivera — who were jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
Some appeals claim a donation deadline is approaching or suggest a candidate faces an immediate financial emergency.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of appeals

Noun

Inside a Coatesville, Pennsylvania, teenager's home, an elevator ride leads to flickering lights, sudden screams and a 1930s-style speakeasy.

— Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
The piercing screams and cheers of thrill seekers clashed with blaring music and barkers calling crowds to their games.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of screams

Browse Nearby Words

criers

cries

cries down

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cries.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cries. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cries

verb

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes