Weep vs. Cry — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 22, 2024
Weeping is a gentle, often silent form of crying, usually expressing deep emotions, while crying can be loud and involves shedding tears due to a range of emotions.
Difference Between Weep and Cry
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Weeping is considered a subtler, more controlled form of crying, often associated with profound sadness or emotional pain. It is typically characterized by silent tears and a more subdued expression of grief or sorrow. This form of emotional expression might not always be accompanied by sobbing sounds. On the other hand, crying is a broader term that encompasses a wide range of emotional expressions, from quiet tears to loud, convulsive sobs. Crying can result from various emotions, including sadness, happiness, frustration, or overwhelming joy.
The act of weeping might be viewed as more private and personal, often occurring in moments of deep reflection or when experiencing a profound sense of loss. It is not just limited to sadness but can also be a response to moments of intense beauty, relief, or spiritual experiences. Conversely, crying is a universal response to emotional stimuli and serves as a physical release of feelings, potentially providing a sense of relief from emotional distress.
Weeping is often associated with a deeper level of emotional processing and can be considered a form of coping or coming to terms with one's feelings. It is typically seen as a more mature way of expressing deep emotions, where the individual might still maintain some level of control over their expression. In contrast, crying can be an immediate and uncontrolled response to pain, distress, or happiness, reflecting a direct and powerful reaction to external or internal stimuli.
Social and cultural norms play a significant role in how weeping and crying are perceived and expressed. In some cultures, weeping is seen as a dignified way to express deep emotions, while in others, crying openly and loudly is accepted and even encouraged as a way of sharing one's feelings with others or seeking comfort.
While weeping and crying are both natural responses to emotional states, weeping is often quieter and more reflective, signifying profound sadness or emotion, whereas crying encompasses a wider range of emotional expressions and intensities.
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Comparison Chart
Intensity
Gentle, often silent
Can be loud and involves sobbing
Emotional Depth
Deep emotions, sadness
Broad range of emotions
Public Perception
More private, personal
More public, universal
Physical Expression
Subdued, controlled tears
Varied, from quiet tears to convulsive sobs
Context
Deep sadness, profound experiences
Emotional stimuli, from sadness to joy
Compare with Definitions
Weep
Expression of profound emotions.
They wept together, sharing their grief in silence.
Cry
Emotional tear-shedding.
Unable to hold back her feelings, she cried openly.
Weep
Gentle shedding of tears.
She began to weep softly during the movie's emotional climax.
Cry
Physical response to happiness or sadness.
They cried tears of joy at the good news.
Weep
Subdued emotional expression.
In the quiet of his room, he wept for lost time.
Cry
Loud or silent shedding of tears.
Alone, she cried softly into her pillow.
Weep
Personal, reflective response to emotion.
He wept quietly, contemplating his journey.
Cry
Universal emotional release.
Overcome with relief, he cried, embracing his friend.
Weep
Silent sorrow or joy.
Overwhelmed by the beauty of the music, she wept.
Cry
Broad expression of feelings.
The child cried out of frustration when the toy broke.
Weep
A weep, a weep hole, or a weep-brick is a small opening that allows water to drain from within an assembly. Weeps are located at the bottom of the object to allow for drainage; the weep hole must be sized adequately to overcome surface tension.
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
Weep
To shed (tears) as an expression of emotion
Weep bitter tears of remorse.
Cry
Shout or scream, typically to express fear, pain, or grief
The little girl fell down and cried for mummy
Weep
To bring to a specified condition by weeping
She wept herself into a state of exhaustion.
Cry
(of a bird or other animal) make a loud characteristic call
The wild birds cried out over the water
Weep
To exude or let fall (drops of liquid)
"cuts the jellied milk into tiny, soft curds that weep whey" (Kit Snedaker).
Cry
A loud inarticulate shout or scream expressing a powerful feeling or emotion
A cry of despair
Weep
To express emotion, such as grief, sadness, or joy, by shedding tears.
Cry
The loud characteristic call of a bird or other animal
The harsh cries of magpies
Weep
To mourn or grieve
Wept for the dead.
Cry
A spell of shedding tears
I still have a cry, sometimes, when I realize that my mother is dead
Weep
To emit or run with drops of liquid
A sore that weeps.
Cry
A pack of hounds
He kept a cry of hounds to hunt in the wilderness
Weep
Often weeps A period or fit of weeping.
Cry
To shed tears, especially as a result of strong emotion such as grief, sorrow, pain, or joy.
Weep
To cry; to shed tears, especially when accompanied with sobbing or other difficulty speaking, as an expression of emotion such as sadness or joy.
Cry
To call loudly; shout.
Weep
To lament; to complain.
Cry
To utter a characteristic sound or call. Used of an animal.
Weep
To give off moisture in small quantities, e.g. due to condensation.
Cry
To demand or require immediate action or remedy
Grievances crying out for redress.
Weep
To produce secretions.
Cry
To utter loudly; call out.
Weep
To flow in drops; to run in drops.
A weeping spring, which discharges water slowly
Cry
To proclaim or announce in public
Crying one's wares in the marketplace.
Weep
To hang the branches, as if in sorrow; to be pendent; to droop; said of a plant or its branches.
Cry
To bring into a particular condition by weeping
Cry oneself to sleep.
Weep
To weep over; to bewail.
Cry
(Archaic) To beg for; implore
Cry forgiveness.
Weep
A session of crying.
Sometimes you just have to have a good weep.
Cry
A loud utterance of an emotion, such as fear, anger, or despair.
Weep
A sob.
Cry
A loud exclamation; a shout or call.
Weep
A lapwing; wipe, especially, a northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus).
Cry
A fit of weeping
Had a good long cry.
Weep
The lapwing; the wipe; - so called from its cry.
Cry
An urgent entreaty or appeal.
Weep
Formerly, to express sorrow, grief, or anguish, by outcry, or by other manifest signs; in modern use, to show grief or other passions by shedding tears; to shed tears; to cry.
And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck.
Phocion was rarely seen to weep or to laugh.
And eyes that wake to weep.
And they wept together in silence.
Cry
A public or general demand or complaint.
Weep
To lament; to complain.
Cry
A common view or general report.
Weep
To drop water, or the like; to drip; to be soaked.
Cry
An advertising of wares by calling out
Vendors' cries at the fish market.
Weep
To hang the branches, as if in sorrow; to be pendent; to droop; - said of a plant or its branches.
Cry
A rallying call or signal
A cry to arms.
Weep
To lament; to bewail; to bemoan.
We wandering goThrough dreary wastes, and weep each other's woe.
Cry
A slogan, especially a political one.
Weep
To shed, or pour forth, as tears; to shed drop by drop, as if tears; as, to weep tears of joy.
Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth.
Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm.
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
Is crying always loud?
No, crying can range from silent tears to loud sobbing, depending on the individual and the situation.
Can weeping be silent?
Yes, weeping often involves silent tears without the vocal expressions typical of crying.
Why do people weep?
People weep as a response to profound sadness, joy, or beauty, often in more private, reflective moments.
Can men weep?
Absolutely, weeping is a natural emotional expression not limited by gender.
Is it healthy to weep or cry?
Both weeping and crying are considered healthy emotional releases and coping mechanisms.
What triggers weeping?
Triggers for weeping include profound personal loss, moments of intense emotional impact, or deep reflection.
What distinguishes weeping from crying?
Weeping is a softer, more controlled form of crying, often reflecting deeper emotional states.
Are weeping and crying perceived differently in society?
Yes, cultural and social norms can influence the perception and acceptability of weeping versus crying.
Does everyone weep the same way?
No, individual experiences of weeping can vary widely, influenced by personality, culture, and context.
How can one comfort someone who is weeping?
Offering a quiet presence, listening, and providing physical comfort if appropriate can be soothing.
How do children typically express sadness?
Children may cry loudly and express their sadness more openly as a way to communicate their needs.
Do weeping and crying serve different emotional functions?
Yes, while both serve as emotional releases, weeping is often tied to deeper, personal processing of emotions, whereas crying can be a more immediate reaction to a wide range of feelings.
Can weeping be therapeutic?
Yes, weeping can be a form of emotional catharsis, helping individuals process and release deep emotions.
Is it possible to cry without tears?
Yes, crying can involve the physical act of sobbing without the shedding of tears, often due to dehydration or other factors.
Is it okay to cry in public?
Social norms vary, but expressing emotions, including crying, is a natural human response and increasingly accepted in many societies.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
