groan 1 of 2

noun

Definition of groannext
1
as in wail
a crying out in grief when the underdogs lost the playoffs, the groans of millions of disappointed fans were heard throughout the land

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in moan
a long low sound indicating pain or grief let out a groan when he tried to stand on the sprained ankle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

groan

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrōn How to pronounce groan (audio)
as in to moan
to utter a moan heard someone groaning in pain

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of groan
Noun
At the sites of deadly accidents, people have reported the sound of a pickaxe or the groans of a dying man. — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 That brought groans from a commission where the complaints about the marketing plan outnumbered the defenses. — Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
It's been a big few months for Austin Abrams moaning and groaning his way through some of the worst situations imaginable. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Oct. 2026 The roar of the engines vibrated through the fuselage, rattling bones and teeth, while supply crates shifted and groaned with every lurch. — Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for groan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groan
  1. wail
  2. moan
  3. tears
  4. crying
  5. cry
  6. lamentation
  7. howl
  8. lament
Noun
  • The separation scene is gut wrenching as Akiko fails to understand why she is being abandoned and gives one wail of a goodbye scene.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Had likely started calling hospitals, shouting his name and description over the baby’s guttering wails, into the ears of phone operators and receptionists all over town.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of wail
Noun
  • This time, the pair claimed to have heard labored breathing coming across the airwaves, and even what resembled the strained moans of a person aboard an orbiting spacecraft.
    — Micah Hanks, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Bel’s father took a long look at Conner’s painting, then let out a loud moan and wept.
    — Edwidge Danticat, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • Parts of a dust jacket missing due to tape or just large tears is bad patina in my eyes.
    — David Michon, Curbed, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The lemon symbolizes the bitter taste of fate, and the salt is for the countless tears of the family members of fallen military members.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of tears
Noun
  • After a month of Halloween horror, Williams wanted the kind of crying that comes with a good ol’ sports movie, and Keanu Reeves coaching a group of kids offers a true tale of common ground through weepy comfort.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2026
  • On the recording of the 911 call from that day, the operator’s steady voice is in sharp contrast to Nakira’s frantic crying.
    — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • And distinctly, the midterm turnout wasn’t a cry from voters to stop the buildout, but simply to put a new price tag on it, and OpenAI is the first major AI company to agree to pay it since the votes were counted.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Fear factor Netanyahu and his allies made the large Arab turnout a rallying cry.
    — Ruth Sherlock, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • After news of the settlement’s approval broke on Wednesday, Ruffalo, a lifelong, bleeding-heart advocate of progressive causes, took to X to share a lamentation.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ḥusayn’s death became for the Shiʿah a symbol of selfless resistance against worldly injustice and tyranny and is commemorated with lamentation each year on Ashura.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Definition of lamentation
Noun
  • Not a movie starlet scream, but uninhibited howls of pure terror.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona.
    — Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of howl
Noun
  • Then comes the inevitable lament that cast iron is too much work.
    — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The child studying English was met with loving lament, while the one pursuing computer science at Stanford University was the flag post of family pride.
    — Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of lament

Browse Nearby Words

grizzling
groan
groaned
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Cite this Entry

“Groan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groan. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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