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
This reality might produce some groans among the kiddos in your lives, but parents can revel in the fact that BTS sales abound. — Melissa Knific, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 The moment was met with several groans from the audience in the room. — Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026
Verb
The eggs royale hit the nail on the head, although the groaning plate that passed me by with the Zetter full English did also catch my eye. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026 As school starts again, some kids will moan and groan to their parents about the end of summer. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 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
  • In Kyiv, the recurring wail of air-raid sirens has become part of daily life.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Yell, scream, jeer, cry, wail, plead—but don’t dare do it while the players are still hitting the ball.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of wail
Noun
  • Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.
    — Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
  • On the second call, the medical alert company employee connected a local 911 call-taker to audio from the home, where the woman's moans of pain and threats by a man could be heard.
    — David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • There were some tears in the audience and more than a few on the stage.
    — Tom Selleck, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • When told her testimony was done, Tina burst into tears in front of the jury and buried her face in a tissue.
    — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of tears
Noun
  • The crying can become the dominant thing, and the acting is the crying as opposed to being able to convey a personality underneath all of that, being able to find the nuance of who this character is outside of the crying.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Another video shows a man holding the crying infant, with his arms covered in blood and the lower half of his body still trapped in rubble.
    — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of crying
Noun
  • Yell, scream, jeer, cry, wail, plead—but don’t dare do it while the players are still hitting the ball.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, in October 2025, Shepherd even revealed that founding host Barbara Walters was tough on her during her tenure, to the point of making her cry.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • 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
  • Moments of humor sit alongside lamentation and ritual intensity, underscoring the exhibition’s refusal of a single, fixed reading.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of lamentation
Noun
  • The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of howl
Noun
  • That ambiguity is echoed in Banks’ score, which takes on the tone of a lament and a celebration, frustration and hope, struggle and liberation, the quest for transcendence in the face of the challenges posed by daunting inequities.
    — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The other main track of Diamanda’s career is her interpretations of old standards, Gospel songs, laments, and folk tunes.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 21 Aug. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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