20 Ways to Cry

Opportunities abound for describing lachrymal lamentations. Here are twenty synonyms for cry, plus some related expressions.

1. Bawl: to cry out loudly and without restraint; also, to call out in such a manner2. Bleat: to complain or whine3. Blub: see blubber (mostly confined to British English)4. Blubber: to cry while making sounds of distress or pain, especially through pouted lips (hence the onomatopoeic word)5. Caterwaul: to cry harshly; also, to noisily complain or protest6. Groan: a low-pitched cry of grief or pain7. Howl: to cry out in grief; also, to cry out in laughter or anger8. Keen: to cry out with a long, loud sound of mourning; also, to complain, usually tiresomely (the adjective keen, meaning “acute, sharp” or used as slang equivalent to cool or neat is unrelated)9. Lament: to cry out with grief; also, to feel regret or sorrow10. Mewl: to cry softly or weakly, like a kitten11. Moan: a low-pitched sound of grief or pain more extended than a groan12. Pule: see whine13. Snivel: to cry with a stuffed nose; also, to act or speak as if in an emotional, tearful state14. Sob: to cry while making sounds of distress or pain, distinguished from blubbering by the noisy intake of breath15. Squall: to cry out loudly in emotional distress — usually associated with infants or very young children16. Wail: to cry out in grief at a high pitch17. Weep: to cry while making sounds of distress or pain, distinguished from blubbering and sobbing by the gentler, quieter nature of weeping18. Whimper: to cry softly and irregularly; also, to complain or protest as if whining19. Whine: to cry in distress, or in a high-pitched, complaining manner; also, to complain20. Yowl: see wail