Synonyms of moan

moan 1 of 2

noun

ˈmōn 

1

as in groan

a long low sound indicating pain or grief

she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groan
• crying
• wail
• whimpering
• whimper
• shriek
• sobbing
• cry
• whining
• whine
• weeping
• yelp
• lamentation
• howl
• lament
• keen
• yowl
• bawl
• blubbering
• plaint
• yammering
• sniveling
• squall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laugh
• chuckle
• giggle
• snicker
• cackle
• guffaw
• titter
• twitter
• chortle
• snigger

2

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wail
• groan
• cry
• tears
• lamentation
• howl
• lament
• mourning
• keen
• weeping
• sob
• plaint
• suffering
• protest
• regret
• outcry
• sorrow
• anguish
• complaint
• sorrowing
• grief
• woe
• grieving
• heartbreak
• heartache
• agonizing
• hand-wringing
• dolor
• cri de coeur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• exultation
• smiling
• laughing
• cheering

3

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whine
• complaint
• bitch
• lament
• fuss
• whimper
• grievance
• grumble
• wail
• bleat
• murmur
• gripe
• squawk
• whinge
• grouse
• holler
• carp
• beef
• yammer
• protest
• plaint
• objection
• kvetch
• miserere
• grouch
• remonstrance
• challenge
• quibble
• expostulation
• demur
• stink
• kick
• niggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• compliment
• commendation
• applause
• approval
• plaudit
• acclaim
• sanction
• endorsement

moan

2 of 2

verb

1

as in to groan

to utter a moan

he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groan
• wail
• cry
• sob
• whine
• whimper
• shriek
• weep
• howl
• sniff
• yelp
• sorrow
• lament
• bewail
• anguish
• bemoan
• snivel
• grieve
• blubber
• rue
• mourn
• keen
• squall
• suffer
• hurt
• deplore
• bawl
• agonize
• bleed
• yammer
• yowl

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laugh
• giggle
• chuckle
• snicker
• cackle
• crack up
• guffaw
• twitter
• chortle
• titter

2

as in to complain

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

their son moaned whenever anyone asked him to do some work

Synonyms & Similar Words

• complain
• scream
• whine
• mutter
• grumble
• bitch
• whimper
• growl
• worry
• cry
• squeal
• wail
• murmur
• squawk
• whinge
• kick
• bleat
• gripe
• holler
• inveigh
• nag
• grouse
• repine
• bellyache
• kvetch
• keen
• beef
• caterwaul
• yammer
• yowl
• croak
• carp
• protest
• grizzle
• sob
• fuss
• crab
• yawp
• grump
• kick up a fuss
• grouch
• maunder
• object (to)
• quarrel (with)
• cavil
• quibble
• lament
• fret
• bewail
• bemoan
• stew
• blubber
• deplore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoice
• delight
• accept
• endure
• take
• tolerate
• bear
• crow
• cheer
• applaud
• commend
• countenance

Example Sentences

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

Witnesses who observed those executions later shared unnerving, and, at times, horrific, accounts of inmates thrashing, moaning, or otherwise appearing to show signs of suffering after the nitrogen gas began to flow. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 June 2026

Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms. — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026