cry of fear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cry of fear" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound or expression made by someone who is experiencing fear or terror. Example: "As the shadows crept closer, a sudden cry of fear echoed through the darkened forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

With hindsight, it is easy to see these drawings as a cry of fear and pain as disease sets in.

The New York Times

In every cry of every Man, In every Infant's cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forg'd manacles I hear.

The Guardian - Books

So seldom does this anniversary qualify as a major milestone that The Observer's self-indulgent coverage of its 220th birthday yesterday almost read like a subconscious cry of fear that it may not make it to 221.

Independent

In every cry of every Man, In every Infant's cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forg'd manacles I hear: How the Chimney-sweeper's cry Every blackening Church appalls, And the hapless Soldier's sigh Runs in blood down Palace walls.

The New York Times

In every cry of every man, In every infant's cry of fear, In every voice, in every ban, The mind-forged manacles I hear: How the chimney-sweeper's cry Every blackening church appals, And the hapless soldier's sigh Runs in blood down palace-walls.

The Guardian - Books

Politically, the release of "Revolution" prompted immediate responses from the New Left and counterculture press: Ramparts branded it a "betrayal", and the New Left Review said the song was "a lamentable petty bourgeois cry of fear".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The gesture often is accompanied by cries of fear, amazement, or joy; e.g., has (Judaism), hū (Islam), or svaha (Hinduism).

Encyclopedia Britannica

But there are also stressful differences: the lack of privacy, the growing odors of hundreds of unwashed bodies and the cries of fear every night during the countless aftershocks.

The New York Times

With a cry, almost of fear, he tried to shoo it out.

The New Yorker

"Watching white nationalists celebrate while innocent Americans cry tears of fear does not feel like America".

The Guardian

"When I see a young lady cry because of fear of this uniform, that's a problem," he also said.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cry of fear" to vividly depict a spontaneous, vocal expression of intense fear or alarm in narrative writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cry of fear" to describe a general state of fear. Instead, use it specifically when someone vocally expresses their fear. For example, instead of saying "The village lived in a constant cry of fear", say "The villagers constantly feared for their safety".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cry of fear" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing a vocal expression resulting from intense fear. It's used to depict a spontaneous reaction to a perceived threat.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cry of fear" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon noun phrase used to depict a vocal expression of intense fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used to illustrate moments of vulnerability and immediate danger. While versatile across various writing registers, it is most frequently found in News & Media. To enhance writing, remember to use "cry of fear" to portray vivid, spontaneous reactions rather than general states of fear, and consider alternatives like "shout of terror" or "scream of fright" for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shout of terror

Replaces "cry" with "shout", emphasizing the loudness and intensity of the sound, and "fear" with "terror", suggesting extreme fear.

scream of fright

Substitutes "cry" with "scream", indicating a high-pitched vocalization, and "fear" with "fright", implying sudden alarm.

yelp of alarm

Replaces "cry" with "yelp", suggesting a short, sharp sound, and "fear" with "alarm", focusing on a sense of danger.

outcry of dread

Replaces "cry" with "outcry", emphasizing a public expression of emotion, and "fear" with "dread", indicating intense apprehension.

wail of panic

Substitutes "cry" with "wail", suggesting a prolonged, mournful sound, and "fear" with "panic", focusing on overwhelming anxiety.

gasp of horror

Replaces "cry" with "gasp", highlighting a sudden intake of breath, and "fear" with "horror", indicating extreme revulsion and fear.

shriek of terror

Substitutes "cry" with "shriek", suggesting a piercing, high-pitched sound, and uses "terror" for emphasis.

whimper of apprehension

Replaces "cry" with "whimper", indicating a quiet, subdued sound, and "fear" with "apprehension", suggesting anxiety about the future.

groan of trepidation

Replaces "cry" with "groan", suggesting a low, mournful sound, and "fear" with "trepidation", indicating a hesitant fear.

sob of anguish

Replaces "cry" with "sob", suggesting a suppressed weeping sound, and "fear" with "anguish", indicating severe mental or physical suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "cry of fear" in a sentence?

You can use "cry of fear" to describe a sudden, vocal expression of intense fear. For example: "As the monster approached, a "cry of fear" echoed through the forest."

What are some alternatives to "cry of fear"?

Some alternatives to "cry of fear" include "shout of terror", "scream of fright", or "yelp of alarm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "cry of fear" a formal or informal expression?

"Cry of fear" is a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is often used in descriptive writing and storytelling.

What's the difference between "cry of fear" and "cry of alarm"?

While both phrases describe vocal expressions, "cry of fear" specifically denotes an expression driven by fear, whereas "cry of alarm" suggests a warning or signal of impending danger, which might not necessarily be rooted in personal fear.