Synonyms of moans

moans 1 of 2

noun

plural of moan

1

as in groans

a long low sound indicating pain or grief

she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groans
• wails
• whimpers
• shrieks
• cries
• whinings
• whines
• yelps
• lamentations
• howls
• plaints
• laments
• yowls
• keens
• squalls
• bawls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giggles
• chuckles
• laughs
• guffaws
• snickers
• titters
• cackles
• sniggers
• chortles
• twitters

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

• wails
• groans
• tears
• cries
• lamentations
• howls
• plaints
• laments
• mournings
• sobs
• keens
• sufferings
• regrets
• protests
• outcries
• sorrows
• heartaches
• heartbreaks
• complaints
• anguishes
• griefs
• woes
• dolors
• hand-wringings
• cris de coeur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicings
• exultations

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

• whines
• complaints
• whimpers
• laments
• grievances
• bitches
• fusses
• grumbles
• murmurs
• wails
• gripes
• squawks
• bleats
• plaints
• hollers
• whinges
• carps
• beefs
• protests
• yammers
• objections
• grouses
• grouches
• misereres
• expostulations
• remonstrances
• kvetches
• challenges
• stinks
• quibbles
• demurs
• kicks
• niggles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliments
• plaudits
• commendations
• praises
• acclaim
• sanctions
• approvals
• applauses
• endorsements

moans

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of moan

1

as in cries

to utter a moan

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groans
• wails
• cries
• sobs
• whimpers
• whines
• shrieks
• weeps
• yelps
• howls
• sniffs
• laments
• bewails
• grieves
• blubbers
• bemoans
• deplores
• rues
• sorrows
• snivels
• mourns
• bawls
• hurts
• agonizes
• suffers
• keens
• yammers
• anguishes
• bleeds
• yowls
• squalls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laughs
• chuckles
• giggles
• cackles
• chortles
• guffaws
• snickers
• cracks up
• titters
• twitters

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

• complains
• screams
• whines
• whimpers
• mutters
• growls
• grumbles
• squeals
• cries
• murmurs
• wails
• worries
• squawks
• hollers
• gripes
• yowls
• kicks
• grouses
• bitches
• bleats
• inveighs
• nags
• whinges
• keens
• yammers
• caterwauls
• beefs
• croaks
• kvetches
• bellyaches
• protests
• grizzles
• crabs
• fusses
• yawps
• carps
• sobs
• repines
• grumps
• kicks up a fuss
• grouches
• objects (to)
• maunders
• laments
• quarrels (with)
• quibbles
• bewails
• blubbers
• bemoans
• frets
• stews
• cavils
• deplores

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delights
• rejoices
• accepts
• takes
• endures
• tolerates
• bears
• cheers
• crows
• applauds
• commends
• countenances

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of moans

Noun

In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through. — Literary Hub, 13 July 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

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

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

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

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