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

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

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

See Examples For:

vociferate vociferated vociferating

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 James Champlin Fernald

When he does attempt to vociferate, the asthmatic complaint under which he evidently labours prevents him from delivering the sentences in more copious instalments than the following:— “I’ll fight—till—from my bones—my flesh—be hacked!”

From Punch, or the London Charivari. Volume 1, July 31, 1841 by Various

"It was, it was," cried the girl as loud as she could vociferate: "it was Maurice threw me down from the top of the press."

From Tales and Novels — Volume 06 by Maria Edgeworth

One of these I capsized, but was gone on the wings of the wind before he could even vociferate an oath.

From The Snow Image and other stories by Nathaniel Hawthorne

The story you have told," Senator Norris vociferated, "is a falsehood.

From Time Magazine Archive

Now another bellower cupped his hands, vociferated: "Long cheer for Pound!"

From Time Magazine Archive

Last week Asquithians and Georgians vociferated over an issue of molehill stature which they erected into a Liberal mountain.

From Time Magazine Archive

"The wicked cat!" she vociferated, when she found that no damage had been done.

From Mrs. Bindle Some Incidents from the Domestic Life of the Bindles by Hebert Jenkins

She has not a chance ... and that damned picture!" he vociferated, shaking his fist at the easel, "that confounded portrait! the sight of it is killing her by inches.

From Woman and Artist by Max O'Rell

Not until last week did George Moore know the crude, earthy, tangible joy of having written a play which London proceeded to applaud, not merely from the lordly stalls but from the common, vociferating gallery.

From Time Magazine Archive

A fresh surprise awaited the sindico on reaching his own house; his son Luigi stood in front of it—one of those who was vociferating the watchword of Liberty.

From The Finger of Fate A Romance by Mayne Reid

O'Byrn's appearance, when he had selected and donned his new ready-made suit, rakish derby and vociferating shirt, was decidedly tracky.

From The Lash by Olin L. Lyman

Vociferā′tion, act of vociferating: a violent or loud outcry; Vocif′erātor.—v.t.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

That is to say, they will be deprived of all excuse for vociferating, plotting, and conspiring to have the pleasure of regulating the habits of others.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 62, Feb 3, 1872 by Various