vociferate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing vociferate
Wuthering Heights
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"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, Chapters 6–9
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Yelping and Yowling: Synonyms for "Cry"
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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.
These bronze rowdies whoop and vociferate on all sides.
From Time Magazine Archive
Benjamin F. Thomas of Worcester was a leading man in the Whig Party, a good speaker, saving only that he appeared to vociferate.
From Reminiscences of Sixty Years in Public Affairs, Vol. 1 by Boutwell, George S.
In matters really vital to him his will was granite and he commanded a silence which could vociferate "Hands off!"
From Immortal Youth A Study in the Will to Create by Price, Lucien
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 Canuck, Janey
One voice overpowers the other, wide-open mouths vociferate loudly, necks are strained, muscles grow tense with excitement.
From Southern Spain by Calvert, A. F. (Albert Frederick)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
