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

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

The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026

Verb

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

Video released by the Milwaukie Police Department shows Descamps sprawled in a hospital bed, his body limp, moaning and drooling, while medical staff stood nearby. — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026