PLAINT Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

plaint

noun

ˈplānt

Definition of plaint

as in lamentation

a crying out in grief the day after the massacre the plaints of bereaved mothers and wives could be heard throughout the village

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in complaint

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment that taxes are too high is perhaps the most perennial of plaints

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of plaint Like Emanuel and his comrades, Harper and his film go a meaningful way in asking and offering an answer to that plaint. — Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026 Gay’s plaint is a variation of the good speakers are born belief. — Jerry Weissman, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 This wry, lovelorn plaint is a cagey display of subtle dynamics and counterpoint on a lone electric guitar. — Jon Pareles, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plaint

Noun

Ḥusayn’s death became for the Shiʿah a symbol of selfless resistance against worldly injustice and tyranny and is commemorated with lamentation each year on Ashura.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Moments of humor sit alongside lamentation and ritual intensity, underscoring the exhibition’s refusal of a single, fixed reading.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of lamentation

Noun

The attorney’s complaint to Internal Affairs alleged Sguros used his position as a police officer to assume control of West’s property and said Sguros was pursuing a civil case related to the home.

— Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
In response, Argentine congresswoman Marcela Pagano filed a criminal complaint with the Federal Court of Puerto Iguazú regarding Bolsonaro’s entry and his subsequent departure on a private plane.

— Florencia Cabral, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaint

Noun

Had likely started calling hospitals, shouting his name and description over the baby’s guttering wails, into the ears of phone operators and receptionists all over town.

— Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of wail

Noun

Our Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog saw them too and enthusiastically let out a small whine.

— Kody Lostroh, Denver Post, 5 Oct. 2026
The mystic whine of Christine Ott and Mathieu Gabry’s score carries us into a hidden world of ancient Thai deities living inside the mountain’s caves and tunnels.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of whine

Noun

Salman burst into tears on hearing the verdict, as did one of her relatives in the front row.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026
Fort Worth police Officer Buddy Calzada read a letter from Everman Mayor Ray Richardson, who stood in the audience in light blue with tears on his cheeks.

— Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of tears

Noun

The nationwide marches were meant to reflect broader dissatisfaction with the French government, with protesters taking to the streets to air a range of different grievances.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Ontide management reported that worker turnover attributable to harassment and unresolved grievances had declined substantially; however, the report did not provide figures to quantify that change.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of grievance

Noun

The child studying English was met with loving lament, while the one pursuing computer science at Stanford University was the flag post of family pride.

— Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Prompted by Nan’s lament about their father’s empty casket and his own desire for posthumous reconciliation, Jay sets out to find his dad’s underwater remains near the edge of the canyon at Monastery Beach.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026