MOAN Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

moan 1 of 2

noun

ˈmōn

Definition of moan

as in groan

a long low sound indicating pain or grief she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wail

a crying out in grief moans arose from the crowd as the funeral procession for the well-loved senator made its way down the street

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as in whine

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment the crowd responded with a moan when it was announced that the rest of the show would be cancelled due to the weather

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moan

2 of 2

verb

as in to groan

to utter a moan he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died

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as in to complain

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely their son moaned whenever anyone asked him to do some work

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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 moan

Noun

Under Hiller, the Kings went into the Olympic break with a whimper and came out of it with a moan. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026 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

Verb

Three other men appeared to be detained as Salgado Araujo lay moaning on the ground, according to his son, who said one of them was his uncle and that no one has heard from them since. — ABC News, 8 July 2026 The call lasted for 12 excruciating minutes, as Adams moaned in pain. — Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for moan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moan

Noun

Trade a groan with the person behind you when the bullpen blows a lead.

— Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026
The groans that greeted Haaland’s withdrawal midway through extra time were telling.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 July 2026

Definition of groan

Noun

Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.

— Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026

Definition of wail

Verb

In short order, users started complaining about multiple system reboots rather than the one expected with a security update.

— Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Researchers found nearly everyone admits to at least one bad beach habit, even as many complain about other people’s behavior.

— Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026

Definition of complain

Noun

Wanner was taken by the suspect, leaving behind her 11-month-old daughter in a high chair, where she was later found crying and alone.

— Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
After Messi and his team's loss to Saudi Arabia in November 2022, the athlete told reporters, per The Mirror, that Mateo left the stadium crying.

— Karli Bendlin, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Definition of crying

Noun

Co-chair Emily Ladau, a disability rights activist, communications strategist and author, framed the committee's work around a phrase long used as a rallying cry in disability advocacy circles.

— Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
The players turned the international spotlight and goodwill of their 2023 victory into an international rallying cry that highlighted the poor treatment of female players.

— Madeline Fox, NPR, 17 July 2026

Definition of cry

Noun

That evening, Beretti underwent emergency surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach to treat a serious streptococcus infection, according to her complaint.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
The complaint also states that the scientists lacked the appropriate documents.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 22 July 2026

Definition of complaint

Verb

The shooting of Fuentes Zambrano cannot be seen on the footage, but a woman’s screams and four additional shots can be heard, per the complaint.

— Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
The key is to train the mind to relax, just chill, even though somebody’s at the doorbell, even though somebody’s walking into the kitchen, little kids screaming through the house.

— Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026

Definition of scream

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mizzly

moan

moaned

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Style

“Moan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moan. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of moan

noun

verb

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