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

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 Noah Webster

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

I vociferate, as a Parrot in the great cage of the World, I hop, screeching, 'What I say is!' from perch to perch.

From More Trivia by Logan Pearsall Smith

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

"Of course you will, Betsey Jane!" vociferated the doctor, affecting a vast jocularity for the purpose of concealing his feelings, which threatened to become unmanageable.

From And So They Were Married by Florence Morse Kingsley

"Who says that's a lie?" vociferated the Squire, jerking his head around.

From The Puddleford Papers, Or Humors of the West by H. H. Riley

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

At all events, he satisfied his wounded patriotism by once more turning to the clique of his comrades, tossing his glass on high, and once more vociferating “Vive l’Empereur!”

From The Child Wife by Mayne Reid

As they seemed very unwilling to pay us a visit, remaining at a distance, and vociferating as usual, 'Ho-say,' 'Ho-say!'

From Narrative of the surveying voyages of His Majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle, between the years 1826 and 1836 Volume I. - Proceedings of the First Expedition, 1826-1830 by Robert Fitzroy

The King, having scrambled ashore, stalked solemnly up to his palm-shack palace, clenched his fist and shook it violently at the Admiral, vociferating "schandalous."

From Dry Fish and Wet Tales from a Norwegian Seaport by Anthon Bernhard Elias Nilsen

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

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