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

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

They are counted, as illiterate farmers count sheep; amidst much fuss and confusion they return to their places, and the tellers vociferate the result.

From Anticipations Of the Reaction of Mechanical and Scientific Progress upon Human life and Thought by H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

I'll vociferate, I'll whimper, pacing up and down the garden, my body distended, my legs bent outward, feigning madness to terrify the tom-cats!

From Barks and Purrs by Colette

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

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

On another occasion he found a mob haling a decently-dressed man along, who struggled and vociferated, but in a strange language.

From The Cloister and the Hearth A Tale of the Middle Ages by Charles Reade

She has not a chance ... and that damned picture!" he vociferated, shaking his fist at the easel, "that confounded portrait! the sight of it is killing her by inches.

From Woman and Artist by Max O'Rell

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

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

That is to say, they will be deprived of all excuse for vociferating, plotting, and conspiring to have the pleasure of regulating the habits of others.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 62, Feb 3, 1872 by Various

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

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

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