What is the verb that means something close to shout and call out to sb but quieter? I mean when you shout something to a person that is far away but you don't want anyone else to hear so you hush your voice (but still you shout). I've searched for "shouted in a whisper" but it somehow sounds strange to me.
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4Are you thinking of a stage whisper: n. a loud whisper that can be overheard; on the stage it is heard by the audience but it supposed to be inaudible to the rest of the cast– JLGMay 2, 2015 at 14:47
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I believe the words you are looking for are Stage Whisper.– MACMar 18, 2017 at 22:49
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5 Answers
There is a verb and it is - ta-da! - whisper-shout.
The act of screaming at someone without using any vowel sounds, so as to keep the volume of the scream down to a nominal level. Similar to the well known "SHHHH!" but it is actually a word or a group of words.
Often used in classroom or library settings, it can also be useful in churches or as a warning that someone unwelcome is approaching. [Urbandictionary]
It is not in canonical dictionaries but it is a clever coinage. You can find many examples in Google Books also.
Some examples:
"Shh!" Veronica looked into the kitchen and adjoining dining room. "Empty," she whispered. "They must be upstairs. Let's get going."
"No!" I whisper-shouted. "We've come this far. We've got to get some pictures!"
Limoncello Yellow: Franki Amato Mysteries book #1 By Traci Andrighetti
“Cover me,” she whisper-shouted. “Where are you going?” Alicia whisper-shouted back.
The Clique #7: It's Not Easy Being Mean By Lisi Harrison
I have never heard nor read the term whisper-shout before today. I checked in Urban Dictionary, there is one definition and that has only eighteen upvotes against four downvotes. This tells me that the expression is not yet established. Chances are it won't be too soon either.
The compound “whisper-shouted” on Google Books obtains 839 results
While its equivalent expression, “whispered loudly”, obtains 24,600 results
The single-word ‘hiss’ on the other hand is well known, and is listed in all good dictionaries.
hiss: to say something in a quiet angry way
"Shut up, Tom!" she hissed.
answered May 2, 2015 at 18:09
To shout in a subdued voice:
- reduced in fullness of tone, as a color or sound; muted. (AHD)
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I'd prefer muted itself: 'another answered with a muted shout' / 'There was a muted shout for a penalty' / 'Jurado sustains his vocal cords in a muted shout' / 'another answered with a muted shout' (all from the internet). 'Subdued' at least connotes low mood. May 2, 2015 at 13:50
The two, “shout” and “whisper,” are pretty much opposites, so finding a single word is going to be tough (too tough for me, at least) and even attempts to modify “shout” (or “whisper”) with a single-word adverb/modifier could produce borderline oxymora. However, if you’re willing to consider a phrase, I’d propose
... shouted as discreetly as possible.
answered May 2, 2015 at 14:12
I feel like saying someone hushedly shouted would be an appropriate term for what you are trying to express.
