1
as in wails
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 moans
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
let out a groan when he tried to stand on the sprained ankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cries
to utter a moan
heard someone groaning in pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of groans
Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Scanlon said inclusion of the searches in Bondi’s binder was also indicative of her intentions, with the attorney general repeatedly referencing the guide to push back on members, sparking groans from several.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The ball nestling into the net was greeted with the unique mix of cheers and groans in Viejas Arena that, to the gambling crowd, can mean only one thing.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The video ends as Chakraborty collapses onto a couch and groans in pain with the officer continuing to yell at him to drop the knife.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The speech was met by deafening cheers, and a tiny smattering of groans from people on the other side of the political spectrum.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Initially, DeGraaf -- a frequent filbusterer -- drew some groans.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Many of her jokes relied heavily on wordplay, like one about how the Rock might win a Globe because The Paper wasn’t nominated, but even sweaty double entendres like this landed well because Glaser moved on so quickly that there was no time for groans.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Exasperated groans followed from three of the four stands, and that pattern continued as Brighton players kept misplacing passes when forcing themselves into quick decisions.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Scanlon said inclusion of the searches in Bondi’s binder was also indicative of her intentions, with the attorney general repeatedly referencing the guide to push back on members, sparking groans from several.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The ball nestling into the net was greeted with the unique mix of cheers and groans in Viejas Arena that, to the gambling crowd, can mean only one thing.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The video ends as Chakraborty collapses onto a couch and groans in pain with the officer continuing to yell at him to drop the knife.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The speech was met by deafening cheers, and a tiny smattering of groans from people on the other side of the political spectrum.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Initially, DeGraaf -- a frequent filbusterer -- drew some groans.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Many of her jokes relied heavily on wordplay, like one about how the Rock might win a Globe because The Paper wasn’t nominated, but even sweaty double entendres like this landed well because Glaser moved on so quickly that there was no time for groans.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groans
Noun
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tokenizing someone is always an ugly thing — yet Rubio deserves no tears.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And so, there [were] some tears.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There are cries from activists to set Wikie and Keijo free, but they were born in captivity and lack the skills necessary to survive.—
Valerie Greene,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
-
When do the cries of frustrated teachers and tens of thousands of children going without school instruction amount to a state crisis?—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The Wolf Moon name dates back to Indigenous and early Anglo-Saxon traditions, inspired by the winter wolves whose howls echoed across cold January nights.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Leading a group of seasoned musicians that includes guitarist Adam Brisbin and harp player Mary Lattimore, and working once again with Krivchenia as his producer, Meek continues to revel in the role of traditional troubadour of mid-tempo laments with heavy gestures to Buffalo Springfield.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Her self-reflections have always landed better than love laments though, and there’s plenty of these on the new one.—
Lina Lecaro,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groans. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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