1
as in cry
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
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2
as in groan
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers
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1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes
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2
3
as in to groan
to utter a moan
the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wail
Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
War within a war Rosalinda Cabanillas lets out a guttural wail that echoes across the entire cemetery.
—Isobel Yeung, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
In the video, O'Leary wailed after the metal object hit him in the chest.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Augustina and Blessing are proof of that, milling outside the prison walls, caught between madcap laughter and wails of pain — the polarities of grief.
—Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 29 Mar. 2025
War within a war Rosalinda Cabanillas lets out a guttural wail that echoes across the entire cemetery.
—Isobel Yeung, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
Verb
As happy endings go, The Wedding Banquet’s feels almost too good to be true, though the wailing babies helpfully puncture the fantasy a bit.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
In the video, O'Leary wailed after the metal object hit him in the chest.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
Full of surprises, family time, performing, chilling, laughing, loving, smiling and good meaningful cries.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
26 May 2025
-
This savvy sleeper responds to babies’ cries by activating its sound and motion features.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Roxy doesn't take her eyes from the screen, and when Aishah turns the camera to show what's happening in the movie, Roxy can be heard making a noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
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Inside the fence, the atmosphere was oddly peaceful, and sometimes so quiet that the loudest noise was the whine of an overhead drone.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
6 May 2025
Verb
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The firing after a nearly 30-year run appeared to surprise Starkey, after reports that Daltrey was not happy with the drummer’s performance at a March Royal Albert Hall gig, complaining from stage that Starkey’s loud playing was throwing him off.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
27 May 2025
-
Many complain about a lack of tort reform, unrestricted attorney advertising or litigation funding, all of which contribute significantly to the scam.—
Robert Tyson,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Verb
-
Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
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Meanwhile, the unmistakable sounds of a dog howling and barking echo loudly off-screen.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
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The Friday night crowd at Target Field groaned once Koss’ line drive found grass, then showered Paddack with applause for his efforts.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
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Broken skybridge Elsewhere across the Southeast Asian megacity, glitzy glass-and-steel buildings home to expensive real estate swayed and groaned when the quake hit, showering dust onto the ground.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There's a push, and suddenly, a newborn's first cry replaces the mother's moans.—
Laura Gómez,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2025
-
The eyes start rolling and the moans come out when dudes get super gooned.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Many online expressed lament over the resort towns’ popularity too.—
Monica Pitrelli,
CNBC,
1 Apr. 2025
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My own experience and reality invalidated and denied, which in her heart today would be a very painful lament.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2025
Verb
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Heard screamed and dropped to the ground with the knife beside him.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2025
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After 'tremendous commotion,' Cassie screamed, 'Isn't anybody seeing this?' Some of the most compelling testimony has come from former Combs former personal assistant, George Kaplan.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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