1
as in groans
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wails
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whines
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in cries
to utter a moan
he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in complains
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
their son moaned whenever anyone asked him to do some work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of moans
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
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, 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
Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
Deeper into Cardoso’s forest, brown howler monkeys fill the viscous air with their guttural moans.
—Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2022
Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
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
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, 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
Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025
Deeper into Cardoso’s forest, brown howler monkeys fill the viscous air with their guttural moans.
—Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2022
Verb
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.
—Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026
Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moans
Noun
-
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The trailer had plenty of groans, gasps and even a few tears as Knoxville and the crew put their bodies on the line to say goodbye.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
There was grit and grime to his feedback-heavy guitar wails, but there was sweep and grandeur too, more apparent on stage than on record.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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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,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The narrator in Pseudo-Quintilian’s fiction complains of the unfairness of the bout.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Apr. 2026
-
For example, when Jehosheba complains that her Martha slacks off when her dad is out of town, Daisy infers that the Commander made a visit to the Colonies.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Vince won the case at trial, though Linda was reportedly left in tears when an exchange in court revealed another Vince affair.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Troy Brown was in tears Monday while talking about his son, who died in the shooting.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The street was once the main route for people driving from Sacramento to Stockton, before Highway 99 was built, and there are complaints that some drivers still treat it like a freeway.—
James Taylor,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The House also approved legislation to speed the slow-moving process for harassment complaints, require more disclosure of settlements and force lawmakers to personally pay any penalties they’re required to make.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Algerio screams at the suspect.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
He is obsessed with gold, because gold screams money to the masses.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That, of course, and the occasional ghostly presences, unsettling cries, and blood dripping from the ceiling.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Two hikers who heard her cries rushed in and called 911.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Moans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moans. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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