I. ikˈsklām, ek- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle French exclamer, from Latin exclamare, from ex- ex- (I) + clamare to cry out, call — more at claim
intransitive verb
1. : to cry out or speak in strong or sudden emotion : give a cry or utter a word indicative of surprise, pain, anger, delight, or other emotion
exclaimed with wonder as the view unfolded
exclaiming over the compactness of the trailer
exclaimed in delight
2. : to speak loudly or vehemently (as in blame, mockery, or protest) — used with against, at, on, or upon
exclaim against oppression
exclaimed furiously upon the wickedness of the plot
transitive verb
: to utter sharply, passionately, or vehemently : proclaim
powers of air whose tongues exclaim dominion — R.P.Warren
Synonyms:
exclaim , cry ( out ), ejaculate , blurt ( out ), snort can mean, in common, to express oneself in sudden, usually vehement and unpremeditated, utterance. exclaim usually implies the force of strong emotion, as anger, joy, or surprise, or the sudden force of protest, criticism, praise, or reproach
“Oh, the troubles of the young!” her mother exclaimed — Irving Bacheller
“Well done!” the instructor exclaimed
cry and cry ( out ) stress loud, exclamatory tones
“I forbid you!” cried my master — W.J.Locke
as we drove past, a man cried out that the road ahead was washed out
ejaculate usually stresses sudden, forceful, and abrupt utterance as from astonishment, sudden delight, or great disgust
striding up and down in front of her and ejaculating horrible oaths — W.J.Locke
shook his head, and ejaculated, “Whew! Whew! Whew!” as though he were overcome with disgust — V.G.Heiser
“Fifty thousand! My goodness gracious me!” ejaculated Mrs. Berry in flattering accents — George Meredith
blurt ( out ) is similar to ejaculate but puts more stress upon the impulsiveness of the remark, suggesting an irresistible, often naïve, compulsion to speak
security officers reported overhearing him blurt out secret information — Time
stung by his reproaches, I blurted out that he had no right to talk to me, even in fun, in such a way — W.H.Hudson †1922
wished to blurt out his indignation — Joseph Conrad
snort implies explosive utterance resembling a snort, motivated by contempt, scorn, or indignation
“Running away, and leaving Johnnie to take the blame!” he snorted in disgust at himself — Rex Ingamells
“Talk of his successful son”, snorted my father, whom I had fairly roused. “He is not fit to black his father's boots” — Samuel Butler †1902
snorted with disdain at such vulgarity — C.S.Forester
II. noun
( -s )
archaic : outcry , clamor