vociferate

American  

[voh-sif-uh-reyt] / voʊˈsɪf əˌreɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

vociferated, vociferating

1. to speak or cry out loudly or noisily; shout; bawl.

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vociferate British  

/ vəʊˈsɪfəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to exclaim or cry out about (something) clamorously, vehemently, or insistently

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• outvociferate
  verb (used with object)
• vociferator
  noun
• vociferation
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vociferate

1590–1600; < Latin vōciferātus (past participle of vōciferāri to shout), equivalent to vōci-, stem of vōx voice + fer ( re ) to bear ¹ + -ātus -ate ¹

Explanation

To vociferate is to shout, wail, or yell loudly and vehemently. People vociferate when they want to be heard. Vociferating is a fancy word for shouting. During a chase, a police officer might vociferate, "Stop!" In sports, coaches are often seen vociferating at referees to protest a bad call. While parents might vociferate when a child is in danger or misbehaving, the word implies a loud, forceful outcry rather than just talking loudly. Because it involves being loud and making a scene, you should never vociferate in a quiet place like a library or a theater — unless there's an emergency.

Example Sentences

These bronze rowdies whoop and vociferate on all sides.

From Time Magazine Archive

To vociferate is commonly applied to loud and excited speech where there is little besides the exertion of voice.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

The advertiser who wants to be an indecent bore, and vociferate for the ten millionth time some flatulent falsehood about a pill, for instance, will pay at nuisance rates.

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

I once heard an old cook vociferate from the kitchen of a small inn to a boy in the yard.

From Le Morvan, [A District of France,] Its Wild Sports, Vineyards and Forests; with Legends, Antiquities, Rural and Local Sketches by Jesse, William

They are counted, as illiterate farmers count sheep; amidst much fuss and confusion they return to their places, and the tellers vociferate the result.

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)