cry
verb (used without object)
to utter inarticulate sounds, especially of lamentation, grief, or suffering, usually with tears.
have been crying
-
present perfect progressiveof cry.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
They are turning into a dangerous and cohesive pairing - and England have been crying out for a midfield combination with those qualities for ages.
From BBC ● Feb. 8, 2026
"His children have been crying - they miss him," said a member of Ismail Mashal's family.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2023
For days, residents, many of whom were already surviving on foreign aid, have been crying out for humanitarian assistance and search-and-rescue support for their forgotten pocket.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 9, 2023
“People around the country, families have been crying out for that policy agenda and that’s what they’re saying they want. Nothing changes, we’re going to try and expand on the work that we’ve already done.”
From Washington Times ● Sep. 27, 2022
The whites of her eyes were bloodshot, which is what happens when you have been crying or staring too hard for too long at something.
From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd
