vociferate
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word 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.
See Examples For:
These bronze rowdies whoop and vociferate on all sides.
From Time Magazine Archive
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 Brontë, Emily
Seeing him unarmed, and respecting his peaceful character, they let him pass in and vociferate, but paid no regard to what he said.
From A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II by Sleeman, William
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 Fernald, James Champlin
To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence, as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah
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
"Thy sentinel am I!" he vociferated, barking himself backwards into the hall, in proper strategic retreat upon his base.
From In Mr. Knox's Country by Ross, Martin
“Curse your palaver?” vociferated the man, with an impatient flourish of the pike.
From The White Gauntlet by Reid, Mayne
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 shops were all open, the artificers all at work, the unintelligible criers vociferating their wares, and the people in their working-day dresses.
From Pencillings by the Way Written During Some Years of Residence and Travel in Europe by Willis, N. Parker
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 Reid, Mayne
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 Harding, Ellison
I should think there were several thousand people in its area—all buying or selling, and vociferating, as usual, at the top of their voices.
From Pencillings by the Way Written During Some Years of Residence and Travel in Europe by Willis, N. Parker
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.
