clamor

¹ American  

[klam-er] / ˈklæm ər /

especially British, clamour

noun

• clamors
  plural

1. 

   a loud uproar, as from a crowd of people.

   the clamor of the crowd at the gates.

2. a vehement expression of desire or dissatisfaction.

   the clamor of the proponents of the law.

   Synonyms:

   vociferation

3. popular outcry.

   The senators could not ignore the clamor against higher taxation.

4. any loud and continued noise: the clamor of birds and animals in the zoo.

   the clamor of traffic;

   the clamor of birds and animals in the zoo.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a clamor; raise an outcry.

verb (used with object)

1. to drive, force, influence, etc., by clamoring.

   The newspapers clamored him out of office.

2. to utter noisily.

   They clamored their demands at the meeting.

clamor ² American  

[klam-er] / ˈklæm ər /

verb (used with object)

Obsolete.

1. to silence.

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Spelling

See -or.

Synonym Usage

See noise.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• clamorer
  noun
• clamorist
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• clamors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of clamor¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English clamor (from Anglo-French ), from Latin, equivalent to clām- ( see claim) + -or -or ¹; Middle English clamour, from Middle French, from Latin clāmōr- (stem of clāmor )

Origin of clamor²

First recorded in 1605–15; perhaps spelling variant of clammer, obsolete variant of clamber in sense “to clutch,” hence “reduce to silence”

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Explanation

To clamor is to make a demand — LOUDLY. It's usually a group that clamors — like Americans might clamor for comprehensive health care coverage. The noun clamor is often used specifically to describe a noisy outcry from a group of people, but more generally, the word means any loud, harsh sound. You could describe the clamor of sirens in the night or the clamor of the approaching subway in the tunnel.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clamor clamors

This would vindicate the Fed’s July caution in defying the clamor from the media and financial back benches to raise rates.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

This year the clamor is louder, more aggressive, and tinged with showy economic threats.

From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026

Industry executives say caterers now clamor for foie gras to add a luxurious touch to weddings and banquets.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026

But as Americans clamor for more protein, some of the nation’s biggest nutrition companies face concerns over shortages and skyrocketing costs.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 11, 2026

Not the harsh clamor of the Gestapo, and it’s not Emilika, either.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Mr. Cohen advised Silicon Valley Bank as it scrambled for a buyer and has been counseling First Republic as it clamors for a lifeline.

From New York Times ● Mar. 25, 2023

The room at the Governors Awards brings many unexpected star pairings, as everyone clamors to meet someone they admire.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 20, 2022

Though the company still clamors for government funding and sometimes makes bold predictions it doesn’t actually see through, SpaceX continues to defy expectations with each new accomplishment.

From The Verge ● Nov. 1, 2021

McCarthy can't sleep past sunrise while Rudolph clamors for as much rest as possible.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2018

The agreement to pay British debts, will silence the clamors of all the body of creditors, and separate them from the tories, with whom they have hitherto made common cause.

From The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Volume VI) by Various

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Related Words

• agitation
• brouhaha
• buzz
• ferment
• hubbub
• noise
• outcry
• ruckus
• tumult
• upheaval
• uproar

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