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

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

As loudly as he could vociferate against the roar of the storm, he sent a triumphant challenge to the party: "I hope you're all—satisfied—with the beauty of sleeping in the—open air!"

From Strawberry Acres by Grace S. (Grace Smith) Richmond

Harbola is an occupational term, applied to a class of Basdewas who climb trees in the early morning and thence vociferate praises of the deity in a loud voice.

From The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India Volume II by R. V. (Robert Vane) Russell

At present it is common to vociferate concerning faith, and yet one cannot understand what faith is, unless repentance is preached.

From Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by F. (Friedrich) Bente

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

“The King—the King!” vociferated the half hundred voices of their followers—the bystanders echoing the phrase only in faint murmuring.

From The White Gauntlet by Mayne Reid

"My lard, my lard!" vociferated a peasant witness, writhing under this mental excruciation, "I can't answer yon little gentleman, he's putting me in such a doldrum."

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol III, No 13, 1851 by Various

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

Those who are vociferating so loudly and screaming so painfully about bad and corrupt men, are generally traveling in the same boat, with the same sails spread to the breeze.

From A Book Written by the Spirits of the So-Called Dead by C. G. (Carl Gustaf) Helleberg

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

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

Across the corn-field a Traill's flycatcher was tossing up his head pertly, and vociferating kwee-kwee.

From A Rambler's lease by Bradford Torrey

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