An outcry is an outburst or shout — either by one person, or by a group of people. Faced with the outcry of three kids under the age of ten, a frustrated babysitter may give in, letting them stay up past bedtime.

When a teacher promises his class a pizza party at the end of the week, he can expect an outcry if the pizzas don't show up on Friday. This kind of outcry is a form of protest, a group of angry or passionate people raising their voices together. The older, fourteenth century meaning of outcry is simply "crying out." The "public protest" meaning was first used around 1910.

Definitions of outcry

n a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

call, cry, shout, vociferation, yell
show 14 types...
hide 14 types...
a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal)
blue murder
an extravagantly loud outcry
a cry expressing disapproval
clamor, clamoring, clamour, clamouring, hue and cry
loud and persistent outcry from many people
a shout to attract attention
a loud raucous cry (as of an owl)
a cry of praise or adoration (to God)
a loud outcry of protest or complaint
scream, screaming, screech, screeching, shriek, shrieking
sharp piercing cry
a loud hooting cry of exultation or excitement
battle cry, rallying cry, war cry, war whoop
a yell intended to rally a group of soldiers in battle
shouting, yelling
uttering a loud inarticulate cry as of pain or excitement
Bronx cheer, bird, boo, hiss, hoot, raspberry, razz, razzing, snort
a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
Type of:
utterance, vocalization
the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

v utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

call out, cry, cry out, exclaim, shout
call, cry, holler, hollo, scream, shout, shout out, squall, yell
utter a sudden loud cry
call out
call out loudly, as of names or numbers
give a command to a horse to turn to the right side
aah, ooh
Type of:
express, give tongue to, utter, verbalise, verbalize

v shout louder than

Type of:
exceed, outdo, outgo, outmatch, outperform, outstrip, surmount, surpass
be or do something to a greater degree

Sign up, it's free!
