a wave of outcry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of outcry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and widespread expression of public discontent or protest regarding a particular issue or event. Example: "After the controversial decision was announced, there was a wave of outcry from the community demanding change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The publication of the profitability of banks will clear the way for their staff to be told the size of their annual bonuses and signal a round of job moves around the financial sector as well as a wave of outcry about the payouts for thousands of staff in London.

The Guardian - Business

There's been a wave of outcry since President Donald Trump signed an executive order blocking refugees and individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S.

HuffPost

Amid a wave of outcry led by student survivors of the shooting, Delta was one of several companies that cut ties with the NRA, which advocates against increased gun control.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After years of languishing calls for reform, it is grassroots activists who were credited with pushing through legislation providing reparations to victims of Chicago police torture on a wave of mounting outcry, in May of 2015.

The Guardian

And these potent confessions are only the most recent in a wave of public outcries. .

Huffington Post

So what we get is a self-perpetuating prototype of a typical entrepreneur that is still highly accurate to this day, and despite a recent wave of outcries, does not show enough signs of changing.

Huffington Post

The new "Terminator" is part of a wave of movies that generate outcries at plot description or casting stages (see under: Ben Affleck and "Batman v Superman").

Los Angeles Times

Mactaggart's proposal prompted an outcry and a wave of activism.

Vice

"A wave of indignation is brewing in Chinese society, which might snowball into a major public outcry if the Japanese authorities continue to take a hardline stance," the China Daily said.

The Guardian

Their deaths led to a public outcry, gave new momentum to the union movement, and triggered a wave of new worker safety laws.

Huffington Post

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a wave of outcry", ensure the context clearly demonstrates a widespread and vocal expression of disapproval, not just isolated complaints.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of outcry" to describe localized or minor disagreements. The phrase implies a significant and widespread expression of public discontent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of outcry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a substantial and widespread expression of public disapproval or protest. Ludwig AI validates its usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of outcry" is a noun phrase denoting a significant and widespread expression of public disapproval, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and media contexts, it serves to emphasize the magnitude and intensity of public dissent. While grammatically sound, its frequency is relatively rare. When using the phrase, ensure the situation warrants such a strong depiction of public reaction. Alternatives like "a surge of protest" or "a flood of criticism" may be appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wave of outrage

Replaces "outcry" with "outrage", emphasizing a strong emotional response of shock and anger.

a wave of protest

Emphasizes the act of "protest" rather than the emotional expression of discontent.

a wave of indignation

Replaces "outcry" with "indignation", implying a righteous anger in response to perceived injustice.

a wave of clamor

Replaces "outcry" with "clamor", indicating a noisy expression of discontent, potentially less organized than an "outcry".

a wave of fury

Substitutes "outcry" with "fury", indicating intense, uncontrolled anger.

a wave of complaint

Substitutes "outcry" with "complaint", suggesting a more subdued expression of dissatisfaction, lacking the intensity of an "outcry".

a wave of opposition

Substitutes "outcry" with "opposition", indicating resistance or disapproval without necessarily involving a strong emotional display.

a wave of anger

Focuses on the emotion of "anger" rather than the expression of it, which changes the emphasis slightly.

a wave of resentment

Replaces "outcry" with "resentment", focusing on a feeling of bitterness and suppressed anger.

a wave of unrest

Shifts the focus to "unrest", suggesting a state of disturbance or agitation, which might or might not involve vocal protest.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a wave of outcry" in a sentence?

Use "a wave of outcry" to depict a widespread expression of public anger or protest following a controversial event or decision. For example, "The new policy sparked "a wave of outcry" among students."

What are some alternatives to "a wave of outcry" that I could use?

You can use alternatives such as "a surge of protest", "a flood of criticism", or "a storm of indignation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a wave of outcry" a formal or informal expression?

"A wave of outcry" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for news reports and analytical writing. However, for more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "a groundswell of opposition".

What distinguishes "a wave of outcry" from "a ripple of concern"?

"A wave of outcry" signifies a large and forceful expression of public anger or disapproval, while "a ripple of concern" suggests a milder, less intense reaction. The key difference is the magnitude and intensity of the expressed sentiment.