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.

---

vociferate British  

/ vəʊˈsɪfəˌreɪt /

verb

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

---

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

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

From The Tragedies of Euripides, Volume I. by Euripides

He replied audibly enough, in a fashion which made my companion vociferate, more clamorously than before, that a wide distinction might be drawn between saints like himself and sinners like his master. 

From Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

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

One voice overpowers the other, wide-open mouths vociferate loudly, necks are strained, muscles grow tense with excitement.

From Southern Spain by A. F. (Albert Frederick) Calvert

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

"Stop thief!—stop thief!" was loudly vociferated by Peter, who, brandishing his stick, made directly across the street, and the astonished culprit immediately dropped the paper, and took refuge in his own patrician mansion.

From Pencil Sketches or, Outlines of Character and Manners by Eliza Leslie

"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

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

I ran through the rooms, still vociferating, and still mocked by the echo of my own voice.

From Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh The History of the Ti-Ping Revolution (Volume I) by Augustus F. Lindley

They were chiefly women, and a boisterous, vociferating lot they were.

From The Man Without a Memory by Arthur W. (Arthur Williams) Marchmont

All Paradise was vociferating behind that flapping rag, but amidst the din the players had heard their manager's yell of triumph.

From Barnaby A Novel by R. Ramsay

Then, casting a mild and melancholy glance at the exasperated crowd, she said to La Louve, who persisted in vociferating, "Will you dare to call us cowards again?"

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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---