vociferate

American  

[voh-sif-uh-rayt] / 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)

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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

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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

Impelled by the extreme urgency of the case, he commenced, with all possible vehemence, to vociferate the alphabet, as a prayer to God to deliver them from the vengeance of Satan! 

From The Coral Island A Tale of the Pacific Ocean by R. M. (Robert Michael) Ballantyne

Alas me, for my sufferings! for well may I groan and vociferate these things.

From The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I. by Euripides

I'll vociferate, I'll whimper, pacing up and down the garden, my body distended, my legs bent outward, feigning madness to terrify the tom-cats!

From Barks and Purrs by Colette

La Louve, notwithstanding, snatched the bread from the hands of Mont Saint-Jean, and began to wave her knife about, and to vociferate loudly.

From The Mysteries of Paris, Volume 3 of 6 by Eugène Sue

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

"I tell you," Julian vociferated, "England will never consent to be dragged into this quarrel."

From The Messenger by Elizabeth Robins

"Bring here that ladder, boy!" vociferated the imperious great man.

From The Vicar of Wrexhill by Mrs Trollope

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

Next moment, and, without even staying to make reply to the communication which the messenger had made, he rushed on towards the gate of the courtyard, loudly vociferating, “To horse—every man to horse!”

From The White Gauntlet by Mayne Reid

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

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

The whole garden was now vociferating it, standing on seats, dancing between the tables, their rising and falling heads a dark and bizarre tumult in the conflicting lights.

From The Debit Account by Oliver [pseud.] Onions

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