VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

cry of pain

phrase·Advancedliterary

Last updated

UK/ˌkraɪ əv ˈpeɪn/
US/ˌkraɪ əv ˈpeɪn/

Meanings

  1. phrasecountableliterary

    A loud sound or shout made because someone feels sudden physical or emotional suffering.

    Grammar: Countable phrase: use 'a cry of pain' or 'cries of pain'; it often follows verbs like 'let out' or 'give'.

    Patterns

    • let out a cry of pain
    • give a cry of pain
    • a cry of pain from someone

    The injured climber let out a cry of pain as they lifted him onto the stretcher.

    She heard a cry of pain from the next room and ran to help.

    His novel describes the cry of pain of a whole generation after the war.

  2. phrasecountablefigurativeformal

    A strong public expression of suffering or complaint by a group of people.

    Grammar: Used figuratively for groups or societies; often followed by 'from' or 'of'.

    Patterns

    • a cry of pain from a community
    • the cry of pain of a nation

    The report was a cry of pain from workers who had lost their jobs.

    Their protest became a cry of pain against years of neglect.

Word forms

pluralcries of pain

Common combinations

let out a cry of pain
He let out a cry of pain when he touched the hot pan.
a cry of pain from someone
There was a cry of pain from the back of the crowd.
a sharp cry of pain
A sharp cry of pain broke the silence of the night.
a cry of pain and anger
Her speech was a cry of pain and anger at the injustice.

Synonyms and how they differ

wail
A wail is a long, high sound of sadness or pain; 'cry of pain' is more general and can be short or sudden.
moan
A moan is a low, soft sound of pain or unhappiness; a cry of pain is usually louder and sharper.
outcry
An outcry is a public protest by many people; a cry of pain can also be private or physical.

Word family

cry verb
To make a loud sound with your voice, often because of strong feeling.
cry noun
A loud sound or shout expressing emotion.
painful adjective
Causing physical or emotional pain.

Commonly confused: cry of pain or cry in pain?

cry of pain vs cry in pain

This is a verb phrase meaning 'to shout because you are in pain'; 'cry of pain' is a noun phrase for the sound itself.

Practice

The soldier fell to the ground and let out a ___ of pain.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “cry of pain”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words