groans 1 of 2

Definition of groansnext
plural of groan
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

groans

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of groan

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 groans
Noun
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 Those decisions were largely met with groans from fans. Chris Vannini, New York Times, 16 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 There were audible groans during the commercial breaks when the Polymarket visuals appeared on screen for categories like best podcast. Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026 Glaser’s joke about Leo DiCaprio’s history of dating younger women also drew a few groans. Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 11 Jan. 2026 Poehler's joke received one of the biggest reactions of the monologue, earning a mixture of laughs and groans. Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025 The crowd immediately let out a mix of laughter and groans as Mathews tried to swap his plate for the one in front of Bertinelli. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
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
  • At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Ride the thrill of Hostile Design’s passionate wails and percussion overload when the group headlines eight shows to kick off the new year, making their way across California, Rhode Island, Quebec, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Illinois with the same energy that once fueled their humble beginnings.
    Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Jan. 2026
  • Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.
    Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • In 2022, Japanese researchers found that dogs produced tears when reuniting with their humans.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Blum looked around, stunned with tears welling in her eyes.
    Aaron Sullivan, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • No wonder then, when substitute Mia Enderby met Jenna Clark’s cross perfectly in the 92nd minute, putting Liverpool 1-0 up, the cries of celebration spilled out before the ball had officially crossed the goal line.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
  • When the time comes, listen to the whistles, the car horns, the cries in the air.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The language surrounding Bailey echoes sentiments from the 1990s and early 2000s, when public revelations of a celebrity’s homosexuality often triggered exaggerated lamentations from straight female fans.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
  • The previous two Jennings collaborations — 2024’s The Fear of Standing Still and 2020’s Lamentations — are two of Barham’s personal favorites in his entire catalog.
    Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • The year's first full moon is best known as the wolf moon since the howls of wolves were more likely to be heard during winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
    Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Continue reading … WAR OF WORDS – AOC weighs in after Republican laments 'humiliation' of Mamdani campaigning in Arabic.
    , FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • The poem ends with the hero’s burial and the laments of his followers.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Groans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groans. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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