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
Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
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
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
As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain.
—Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
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
-
Her remarks were met with groans, loud exhaling and other audible exasperation from a court gallery filled with victims and their families.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
The crowd responded with groans after the move, which did damage to both men.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Noun
-
Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
The Bruins’ bat boy’s tears stained the front of Cholowsky’s jersey as his sobs grew heavier by the second.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
The 22-year-old Wembanyama was emotional, bursting into tears as the final horn blew and again choking back emotions after being named the Most Valuable Player of the WCF.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Earlier Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended his agency’s detention standards on Capitol Hill amid complaints about ICE’s Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey.—
Laura Strickler,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
-
The ultimate winning candidate in the race will lead the California Department of Insurance, which is responsible for approving rate increases for home and auto policies, investigating complaints about insurers and enforcing consumer protections.—
Ethan Varian,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The eyelet design that covers the bodice and skirt of the garment screams summer, while the tie shoulders add extra visual interest.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
Most of Lucy Boynton’s beauty references the 1960s, and this doll-like bob screams modern mod.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Then, the cries of Ginny’s baby are a major wake-up call for the couple that can’t be ignored.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
The house band drums intensify, a violin cries and guitar chords growl.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 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 4 Jun. 2026.
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