1
as in cry
a crying out in grief
a prolonged wail arose from every corner of the city as the victims of the earthquake were unearthed from the rubble
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in groan
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
rescuers heard a faint wail coming from the pile of rubble, a sure sign that one of the victims was still alive
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes
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2
3
as in to groan
to utter a moan
the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wail
Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Even in quiet moments—picture foggy mornings, candlelit pubs, the distant wail of bagpipes—Edinburgh feels alive with mystery.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
As the siren wailed before kickoff on the rainy night the stadium scoreboards flashed HURRICANE WARNING.
—Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Even in quiet moments—picture foggy mornings, candlelit pubs, the distant wail of bagpipes—Edinburgh feels alive with mystery.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025
As the siren wailed before kickoff on the rainy night the stadium scoreboards flashed HURRICANE WARNING.
—Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
The rallying cry from Shakespeare’s Henry V, ahead of the Battle of Agincourt, might as well be the motto of today’s artificial intelligence elites.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
-
The cries and coos Lydia and all the other Fairfield mothers made around her little sister made Catherine sick.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yankee Stadium released exasperated groans as New York fell to Toronto’s rotating relievers and the Yankees’ bats faltered in late-inning opportunities.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Eventually, audible groans could be heard on the recording.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
Some Russians already have complained about Max’s functionality (and mocked VK’s semi-cheesy, semi-effective enlistment of rappers, comedians, and influencers to promote it).—
Justin Sherman,
The Atlantic,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t-complain, just-eat-your-meal type people.—
Vincent Z. Mercogliano,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But many lonely and anxious dogs will also howl, especially those with separation anxiety.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Normally, howling and yowling in the presence of another cat is not a good sign.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There’s something moaning in the background.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Resident Angelica Estrada, speaking through tears, urged the council to reject the project, citing the health impacts of diesel pollution on families.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
La Llorona’s tears can’t be ignored.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
That revelation—learning that uncontrollable crying wasn’t her personality but neurological damage—became another layer of self-compassion.—
Emily Cegielski,
Flow Space,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Beyond the firing of weapons, beyond the screaming and crying that comes with injuries and loss.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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