choked cry

USAGE SUMMARY

"choked cry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a sound someone makes when they are crying and trying to suppress the emotion. Example: She let out a choked cry and wiped away her tears.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Shawn's distinctive voice — it is as if a clogged sinus is speaking directly to us — also ranges in tone, from soft, babyish lament to a choked cry of outrage.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

More choked cries crack the day like a whip.

The New Yorker

DiCaprio is in agony, unable even to speak except in choked cries of pain through gritted teeth.

Forbes

I remember, as we tried to make our way home down the Nile on the north side of the campus, a long stream of choking, crying and coughing students.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sleek, cream-painted machine with its knobs and lights; the smell of methylated spirits, rubbed on her temples so that the shock would take; the grey woollen socks she would compulsively wear on treatment days, "to ward off death"; the stifled, choking cries of other patients; and the shock itself, a trap-door dropping open on darkness.

The Economist

She felt that the episode was flawed in its "cop-out" ending and Jack's handling of Gwen but in her conclusion noted it be "the first episode of Torchwood that left me choked up, crying with Gwen at the end".

Wikipedia

"How can we help?" My reply: "Well" — choke, gulp, cry — "I am going to sell my books.

The New York Times

"They comforted me, because I was choking and crying," she said.

The New York Times

When he arrived, dozens of people were streaming in, choking, vomiting, crying, saliva bubbling out of their mouths.

The New Yorker

But the grandmother, Rosa Garavanti, picked up the newborn child and held him under a cold water tap until he began to choke and cry--and breathe.

Los Angeles Times

In the interview, Murray choked up and cried as he discussed the massacre that occurred at his primary school in Dunblane, Scotland.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "choked cry" to depict a character's struggle to contain their emotions, suggesting both sadness and a conscious effort to remain composed. It is particularly effective in describing moments of intense grief or suppressed trauma.

Common error

Avoid using "choked cry" for simple sadness or mild disappointment. The phrase suggests a deep, almost unbearable emotion struggling to be contained. If the emotion is less intense, consider alternatives like "quiet sob" or "soft whimper".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choked cry" functions as a noun phrase, where "choked" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "cry". It describes a specific type of vocal expression characterized by suppressed emotion. Ludwig AI indicates its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "choked cry" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe a suppressed emotional outburst. While rare, its appearance in reputable news sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times, as confirmed by Ludwig, indicates its suitability for formal writing. To use it effectively, remember that it suggests a deep, barely contained emotion rather than simple sadness. Alternatives such as "stifled whimper" or "muffled sob" may be more appropriate for less intense scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Suppressed sob

Focuses on the sound being a sob that is being held back.

Stifled whimper

Emphasizes the quietness and restraint of the sound.

Muffled sob

Highlights that the sound is not clear due to being suppressed.

Restrained cry

Focuses on the effort to control or limit the expression of emotion.

Subdued cry

Indicates a quieter and less intense expression of emotion.

Strained cry

Highlights the effort and tension involved in expressing the emotion.

Smothered sob

Emphasizes the act of completely covering or suppressing the sound.

Repressed cry

Focuses on the psychological act of holding back the emotion.

Inhibited sob

Implies a conscious or unconscious barrier preventing full expression.

Controlled cry

Highlights the attempt to maintain composure while expressing sadness.

FAQs

What does "choked cry" mean?

A "choked cry" refers to a suppressed sound of sadness or distress, where the person is trying to hold back their emotions while crying.

How can I use "choked cry" in a sentence?

You might say, "She let out a "choked cry" when she heard the news," to convey her attempt to contain her grief.

What are some alternatives to "choked cry"?

Consider using alternatives like "stifled whimper", "muffled sob", or "suppressed cry" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "choked cry" a common phrase in English?

While grammatically sound and readily understood, "choked cry" is not as common as other expressions like "sob" or "whimper", lending it a slightly more evocative quality.