strangled cry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strangled cry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that is choked or muffled, often indicating distress or fear. Example: "As the shadows crept closer, a strangled cry escaped her lips, echoing through the empty hall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

As his world shatters, all we hear is a far-off strangled cry of grief and horror.

The New York Times

He looks like a mushroom on a long stem, and he talks with a humble piety that gives way, in church, to a strangled cry of ecstatic fervor.

The New Yorker

All I ever think while I'm doing it is: why did I ever leave my apartment?" He emits a strangled cry.

The Guardian - Film

Her assistant asks harder questions ("What did you think of Javier Bardem's teeth?"), but is starting to realise that a strangled cry might mean that I am croaking.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

When the stunning fact of the game-winning home run sank in, the Harlem crowd emitted a sound that was half gasp and half strangled cry.

The New York Times - Sports

An anguished, strangled cry of "I... ...... is involuntarily torn from the niece, in this version, and hangs in the air when the officer takes his leave of them for a suicidal posting on the Eastern Front.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

There were strangled Leicester cries for a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

Caught spying on a group of women bathing in a river, he is pursued by one of them and turns on her: "Naked as she was, I took her by the throat, strangling her cry, and slapped her until my hands were dry of sweat, before sending her sprawling to the ground with a shove".

The New Yorker

Caught spying on a group of women bathing in a river, he is pursued by one of them and turns on her: "Naked as she was, I took her by the throat, strangling her cry, and slapped her until my hands were dry of sweat, before sending her sprawling to the ground with a shove". He is immediately ashamed, in a self-centered way—"Character!

The New Yorker

("jungle cry strangled," the Los Angeles Times had declared. "dyott radio cut off in crisis").

The New Yorker

At this, an awful phlegm-strangled cry caught in her throat.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strangled cry" to vividly depict a moment of intense, suppressed emotion, especially when a character is unable or unwilling to express themselves fully.

Common error

Avoid using "strangled cry" too frequently in dialogue tags. It can become repetitive and weaken the impact. Instead, vary your descriptions of emotional expression with different sensory details or internal monologues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strangled cry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "strangled" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "cry". Ludwig examples show it depicts a suppressed or choked vocalization, typically indicating intense emotion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strangled cry" is a potent and evocative descriptor used to depict suppressed or choked vocalizations often stemming from intense emotional distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure as an adjective-noun phrase allows it to function effectively in various writing contexts. While frequently encountered in news and media, where it vividly portrays moments of anguish or fear, the phrase also finds its place in academic and scientific writing, albeit to a lesser extent. To enhance your writing, consider using "strangled cry" to portray intense, suppressed emotions, but avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Explore alternatives like "choked sob" or "muffled scream" for nuanced expressions. Ultimately, understanding the connotations and appropriate contexts of "strangled cry" empowers writers to craft more compelling and emotionally resonant narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choked sob

Focuses on the sound being a suppressed sob, emphasizing sadness or grief.

muffled scream

Highlights the suppressed nature of a scream, suggesting fear or terror.

gasping whisper

Emphasizes the breathlessness and quietness of the expression.

suppressed whimper

Implies a quiet, restrained expression of pain or distress.

stifled groan

Focuses on a suppressed groan, suggesting pain or discomfort.

throaty murmur

Describes a low, indistinct sound originating in the throat.

half-formed utterance

Highlights the incomplete or inarticulate nature of the expression.

strained voice

Indicates that the voice is produced with difficulty or tension.

hoarse whisper

Implies a raspy, quiet voice, often due to illness or strain.

muted exclamation

Suggests a quiet, restrained expression of surprise or excitement.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "strangled cry" in a sentence?

Use "strangled cry" to describe a sound that is choked or muffled, often indicating intense distress, fear, or grief. For example, "A "strangled cry" escaped her lips as she witnessed the accident."

What are some alternatives to "strangled cry"?

You can use alternatives like "choked sob", "muffled scream", or "gasping whisper" depending on the specific emotion you want to convey.

What's the difference between "strangled cry" and "suppressed cry"?

"Strangled cry" implies a more physical obstruction or difficulty in producing the sound, whereas "suppressed cry" suggests a conscious effort to hold back the sound.

Is "strangled cry" appropriate for formal writing?

While "strangled cry" is generally acceptable, consider the tone of your writing. In highly formal contexts, you might opt for a more restrained description like "a stifled sound of distress" or "a barely audible expression of anguish".