Cry vs. Bawl — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 24, 2024
Cry involves shedding tears due to emotions like sadness or joy, while bawl refers to crying loudly and uncontrollably, often indicating more intense emotion.
Difference Between Cry and Bawl
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Crying is a general term that describes the act of shedding tears as a response to an emotional state, whether it be sadness, happiness, or frustration. On the other hand, bawling is specifically characterized by loud, vigorous crying, typically suggesting a deeper or more overwhelming emotional distress.
Cry can be quiet and personal, often unnoticed by others, whereas bawling is almost always loud and hard to ignore, clearly signaling distress or strong feelings to those nearby.
Crying can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from mild feelings of discomfort to severe pain or sorrow, while bawling usually results from intense situations that provoke a powerful emotional response.
Cry is universally understood and can be a subtle expression of feeling, whereas bawling is a more extreme manifestation of emotions that is often associated with significant life events or profound personal moments.
Both crying and bawling serve as emotional releases, but the intensity and visibility of bawling make it a more conspicuous and sometimes socially embarrassing reaction.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Volume
Low to moderate
High, loud
Intensity
Can be mild
Usually intense
Emotional Cause
Broad (sadness, joy, pain)
Typically extreme sadness or pain
Social Perception
Common and acceptable
Often viewed as overly dramatic or childish
Control
More controllable
Less control, more spontaneous
Compare with Definitions
Cry
To call out or exclaim, often for attention.
The baby would not stop crying for food.
Bawl
To weep or sob noisily.
She bawled her eyes out after the farewell.
Cry
To produce a characteristic sound, especially of animals.
The cat cried at the door to be let in.
Bawl
To cry out loudly and uncontrollably.
The toddler bawled when he dropped his ice cream.
Cry
To express grief or pain through tears.
He cried silently in the corner after hearing the bad news.
Bawl
To shout or speak loudly and without restraint.
The coach bawled instructions from the sidelines.
Cry
To shed tears as a response to an emotion like sadness or happiness.
She began to cry during the touching movie scene.
Bawl
To express deep distress or anguish through loud cries.
He bawled from the sheer pain of the injury.
Cry
To shed tears without producing sound.
She quietly cried herself to sleep.
Bawl
To make a scene by crying excessively.
The child bawled in the middle of the store, attracting stares.
Cry
Shed tears, typically as an expression of distress, pain, or sorrow
Don't cry—it'll be all right
You'll cry tears of joy
Bawl
Shout or call out noisily and unrestrainedly
‘Move!’ bawled the drill corporal
We began to bawl out the words of the carol
Cry
Shout or scream, typically to express fear, pain, or grief
The little girl fell down and cried for mummy
Bawl
Weep or cry noisily
I began to bawl like a child
Cry
(of a bird or other animal) make a loud characteristic call
The wild birds cried out over the water
Bawl
A loud, unrestrained shout
He addressed every class in a terrifying bawl
Cry
A loud inarticulate shout or scream expressing a powerful feeling or emotion
A cry of despair
Bawl
To cry or sob loudly; wail.
Cry
The loud characteristic call of a bird or other animal
The harsh cries of magpies
Bawl
To cry out loudly and vehemently; shout.
Cry
A spell of shedding tears
I still have a cry, sometimes, when I realize that my mother is dead
Bawl
To utter in a loud, vehement voice.
Cry
A pack of hounds
He kept a cry of hounds to hunt in the wilderness
Bawl
A loud, bellowing cry; a wail.
Cry
To shed tears, especially as a result of strong emotion such as grief, sorrow, pain, or joy.
Bawl
(transitive) To shout or utter in a loud and intense manner.
Cry
To call loudly; shout.
Bawl
(intransitive) To wail; to give out a blaring cry.
Cry
To utter a characteristic sound or call. Used of an animal.
Bawl
(intransitive) To weep profusely.
Cry
To demand or require immediate action or remedy
Grievances crying out for redress.
Bawl
A loud, intense shouting or wailing.
Cry
To utter loudly; call out.
Bawl
To cry out with a loud, full sound; to cry with vehemence, as in calling or exultation; to shout; to vociferate.
Cry
To proclaim or announce in public
Crying one's wares in the marketplace.
Bawl
To cry loudly, as a child from pain or vexation.
Cry
To bring into a particular condition by weeping
Cry oneself to sleep.
Bawl
To proclaim with a loud voice, or by outcry, as a hawker or town-crier does.
Cry
(Archaic) To beg for; implore
Cry forgiveness.
Bawl
A loud, prolonged cry; an outcry.
Cry
A loud utterance of an emotion, such as fear, anger, or despair.
Bawl
Shout loudly and without restraint
Cry
A loud exclamation; a shout or call.
Bawl
Make a raucous noise
Cry
A fit of weeping
Had a good long cry.
Bawl
Cry loudly;
Don't bawl in public!
Cry
An urgent entreaty or appeal.
Cry
A public or general demand or complaint.
Cry
A common view or general report.
Cry
An advertising of wares by calling out
Vendors' cries at the fish market.
Cry
A rallying call or signal
A cry to arms.
Cry
A slogan, especially a political one.
Cry
The characteristic call or utterance of an animal.
Cry
The baying of hounds during the chase.
Cry
A pack of hounds.
Cry
(Obsolete) Clamor; outcry.
Cry
(Obsolete) A public announcement; a proclamation.
Cry
(intransitive) To shed tears; to weep.
That sad movie always makes me cry.
Cry
(transitive) To utter loudly; to call out; to declare publicly.
Cry
(ambitransitive) To shout, scream, yell.
Cry
(intransitive) To utter inarticulate sounds, as animals do.
Cry
(transitive) To cause to do something, or bring to some state, by crying or weeping.
Tonight I’ll cry myself to sleep.
Cry
To make oral and public proclamation of; to notify or advertise by outcry, especially things lost or found, goods to be sold, auctioned, etc.
To cry goods
Cry
Hence, to publish the banns of, as for marriage.
Cry
A shedding of tears; the act of crying.
After we broke up, I retreated to my room for a good cry.
Cry
A shout or scream.
I heard a cry from afar.
Cry
Words shouted or screamed.
A battle cry
Cry
A clamour or outcry.
Cry
(collectively) A group of hounds.
Cry
A pack or company of people.
Cry
(of an animal) A typical sound made by the species in question.
"Woof" is the cry of a dog, while "neigh" is the cry of a horse.
Cry
A desperate or urgent request.
Cry
(obsolete) Common report; gossip.
Cry
To make a loud call or cry; to call or exclaim vehemently or earnestly; to shout; to vociferate; to proclaim; to pray; to implore.
And about the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice.
Clapping their hands, and crying with loud voice.
Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry unto thee.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Some cried after him to return.
Cry
To utter lamentations; to lament audibly; to express pain, grief, or distress, by weeping and sobbing; to shed tears; to bawl, as a child.
Ye shall cry for sorrow of heart.
I could find it in my heart to disgrace my man's apparel and to cry like a woman.
Cry
To utter inarticulate sounds, as animals.
The young ravens which cry.
In a cowslip's bell I lieThere I couch when owls do cry.
Cry
To utter loudly; to call out; to shout; to sound abroad; to declare publicly.
All, all, cry shame against ye, yet I 'll speak.
The man . . . ran on,crying, Life! life! Eternal life!
Cry
To cause to do something, or bring to some state, by crying or weeping; as, to cry one's self to sleep.
Cry
To make oral and public proclamation of; to declare publicly; to notify or advertise by outcry, especially things lost or found, goods to be sold, ets.; as, to cry goods, etc.
Love is lost, and thus she cries him.
Cry
To publish the banns of, as for marriage.
I should not be surprised if they were cried in church next Sabbath.
Men of dissolute lives cry down religion, because they would not be under the restraints of it.
Cry
A loud utterance; especially, the inarticulate sound produced by one of the lower animals; as, the cry of hounds; the cry of wolves.
Cry
Outcry; clamor; tumult; popular demand.
Again that cry was found to have been as unreasonable as ever.
Cry
Any expression of grief, distress, etc., accompanied with tears or sobs; a loud sound, uttered in lamentation.
There shall be a great cry throughout all the land.
An infant crying in the night,An infant crying for the light;And with no language but a cry.
Cry
Loud expression of triumph or wonder or of popular acclamation or favor.
The cry went once on thee.
Cry
Importunate supplication.
O, the most piteous cry of the poor souls.
Cry
Public advertisement by outcry; proclamation, as by hawkers of their wares.
The street cries of London.
Cry
Common report; fame.
The cry goes that you shall marry her.
Cry
A word or phrase caught up by a party or faction and repeated for effect; as, the party cry of the Tories.
All now depends upon a good cry.
Cry
A pack of hounds.
A cry more tunableWas never hollaed to, nor cheered with horn.
Cry
A pack or company of persons; - in contempt.
Would not this . . . get me a fellowship in a cry of players?
Cry
The crackling noise made by block tin when it is bent back and forth.
Cry
A loud utterance; often in protest or opposition;
The speaker was interrupted by loud cries from the rear of the audience
Cry
A loud utterance of emotion (especially when inarticulate);
A cry of rage
A yell of pain
Cry
A slogan used to rally support for a cause;
A cry to arms
Our watchword will be `democracy'
Cry
A fit of weeping;
Had a good cry
Cry
The characteristic utterance of an animal;
Animal cries filled the night
Cry
Utter a sudden loud cry;
She cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needle
I yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
Cry
Utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy;
`I won!' he exclaimed
`Help!' she cried
`I'm here,' the mother shouted when she saw her child looking lost
Cry
Proclaim or announce in public;
Before we had newspapers, a town cryer would cry the news
He cried his merchandise in the market square
Cry
Demand immediate action;
This situation is crying for attention
Cry
Utter a characteristic sound;
The cat was crying
Cry
Bring into a particular state by crying;
The little boy cried himself to sleep
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between crying and bawling?
Crying can be quiet and is more controlled, while bawling is loud and indicates a loss of control due to intense emotions.
Can adults bawl as well as children?
Yes, adults can bawl, usually under extreme emotional stress or pain.
Is it healthy to bawl?
Bawling can be a healthy emotional release, though frequent occurrences might indicate deeper issues.
Does bawling always indicate sadness?
Primarily, but it can also arise from extreme anger, frustration, or even overwhelming joy.
Is bawling socially acceptable?
Bawling is often perceived as overly dramatic or inappropriate in public settings, unlike more subdued crying.
Can someone cry without tears?
Yes, especially in cases of 'dry crying' where the emotional response does not produce tears.
What does it mean to "cry wolf"?
It refers to giving false alarms or lying about distress, originating from a fable where a boy repeatedly tricks villagers.
Is crying beneficial for mental health?
Crying is generally considered therapeutic as it releases stress and emotional tension.
Are there medical reasons that could explain inability to cry?
Yes, conditions like Sjogren's syndrome can prevent tear production.
How do different cultures view crying and bawling?
Cultural perspectives vary widely; some see crying as a sign of honesty, while others might view it as a weakness.
What triggers bawling in adults?
Intense grief, physical pain, or catastrophic life events are common triggers.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Axilla vs. Axillae
Next Comparison
Connector vs. ConnecterAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
