crying Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
   tears; weeping.
   
   • I hate to hear the crying of a child
   • she was in tears
2. noun a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
   cry; shout; call; outcry; vociferation; yell.
   
   • the speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience
3. noun a loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate)
   yell; cry.
   
   • a cry of rage
   • a yell of pain
4. noun a slogan used to rally support for a cause
   rallying cry; cry; war cry; watchword; battle cry.
   
   • a cry to arms
   • our watchword will be `democracy'
5. noun a fit of weeping
   cry.
   
   • had a good cry
6. noun the characteristic utterance of an animal
   cry.
   
   • animal cries filled the night
7. verb utter a sudden loud cry
   cry; hollo; squall; shout; call; holler; yell; scream; shout out.
   
   • she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
   • I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
8. verb shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
   cry; weep.
   
   • She cried bitterly when she heard the news of his death
   • The girl in the wheelchair wept with frustration when she could not get up the stairs
9. verb utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
   exclaim; call out; cry; cry out; shout; outcry.
   
   • `I won!' he exclaimed
   • `Help!' she cried
   • `I'm here,' the mother shouted when she saw her child looking lost
10. verb proclaim or announce in public
    cry; blazon out.
    
    • before we had newspapers, a town crier would cry the news
    • He cried his merchandise in the market square
11. verb demand immediate action
    cry.
    
    • This situation is crying for attention
12. verb utter a characteristic sound
    cry.
    
    • The cat was crying
13. verb bring into a particular state by crying
    cry.
    
    • The little boy cried himself to sleep
14. adjective satellite demanding attention
    insistent; instant; clamant; exigent.
    
    • clamant needs
    • a crying need
    • regarded literary questions as exigent and momentous"- H.L.Mencken
    • insistent hunger
    • an instant need
15. adjective satellite conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
    gross; egregious; flagrant; rank; glaring.
    
    • a crying shame
    • an egregious lie
    • flagrant violation of human rights
    • a glaring error
    • gross ineptitude
    • gross injustice
    • rank treachery

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