wail

wail

noun

Definition of WAIL

1

a crying out in grief <a prolonged wail arose from every corner of the city as the victims of the earthquake were unearthed from the rubble>

Synonyms groan, howl, keen, lamentation, moan, plaint, wail

Related Words cry, sob, tears; agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping; hand-wringing, regret; complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest; anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe

Near Antonyms cheering, laughing, smiling

Antonyms exultation, rejoicing

2

a long low sound indicating pain or grief <rescuers heard a faint wail coming from the pile of rubble, a sure sign that one of the victims was still alive>

Synonyms groan, wail

Related Words blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering; keen, lament, lamentation, plaint; bawl, cry, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowl

Near Antonyms cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter

3

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment <a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers>

Synonyms beef, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer

Related Words challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink

Near Antonyms commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction