1
as in groans
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
-
After a clunky moment of audience groans and O’Brien trying to keep a straight face, the camera moved back to the winners.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Alas, those rooting for niche history in the desert soon traded their prospective cheers for the visceral groans.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At one point in the documentary, Suga, one of the group’s rappers, complains that there is too much English on the album.—
Mitch Therieau,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone complains about how expensive EVs are.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Neither said a word as tears fell down their faces.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Despite numerous complaints to health inspectors from elderly people that Salmos 23 left them wanting the most basic necessities — like toilet paper — DCF chose it as a refuge over hundreds of other homes.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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Deed theft is essentially when someone steals a house, often forging the paperwork, and data obtained by CBS News New York shows a 240% increase in complaints to the New York Attorney General's Office from 2023 to 2025.—
Tim McNicholas,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
An explosion of green paint can be seen as Islas stumbles and screams in pain.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Slayr raps, sings, and screams across this thing, producing most of it himself with frequent contributions from the producer wa.—
Mano Sundaresan,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ave Maria, Florida — One Wednesday this month, loud cries erupted from two teenage girls huddled over a cellphone in the parking lot of a local supermarket.—
Deidre McPhillips,
CNN Money,
23 Mar. 2026
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The episode ends as John walks out among Carolyn’s cries.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
20 Mar. 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 3 Apr. 2026.
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