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

This also enables you to learn how wonderfully an excited Cree can vociferate: there is no other place in the world where a more efficient instruction can be had.

From Seeds of Pine by Janey Canuck

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

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

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

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

Oh, Fairly, my old man of the Covenant," vociferated the leader of the party, "how come you to be keeping company with the whaup and the curlew at this time o' night?

From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland Volume 21 by Alexander Leighton

The Fátheh, being the first chapter of the holy Korán, was duly read, and the Danákil conclave with one voice vociferated a loud Ameen, even so let it be!

From The Highlands of Ethiopia by William Cornwallis Harris

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

The girls began to explain the cause of the commotion, but hardly had they uttered a word than Don Roque interrupted them, vociferating: "To prison with you!"

From The Fourth Estate, vol.1 by Armando Palacio Vald?s

There was nothing to be seen but a couple of men standing on a fence to watch us, nothing to be heard except cur dogs vociferating at every cottage.

From In Mr. Knox's Country by Martin Ross

"Oh, yes, yes!" they cried, Joel especially vociferating that not a single one was to be omitted.

From Ben Pepper by Margaret Sidney

This conclusion was greeted with the wildest applause; members stood up and, with vociferating gestures directed at the corner where Chairo sat, demanded justice and the full measure of the law.

From The Woman Who Vowed The Demetrian by Ellison Harding

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---