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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The Israeli military and the Home Front Command have increasingly sought to communicate the danger of these bomblets to the Israeli public, urging people to remain in shelters for several minutes after the wail of the sirens has faded, until the all-clear is given.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Subjecting them, and us, to a series of repetitive wailing sequences blunts any potential emotional sharpness.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
The Israeli military and the Home Front Command have increasingly sought to communicate the danger of these bomblets to the Israeli public, urging people to remain in shelters for several minutes after the wail of the sirens has faded, until the all-clear is given.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
According to the post, the officer approached the gate, asked what was going on, and stood watching as the husky wailed.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Subjecting them, and us, to a series of repetitive wailing sequences blunts any potential emotional sharpness.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
In an interview earlier in March with the Yale Alumni Association, Chun admitted to making a mistake that made her cry in her first year as Yale AD.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Gabriela is not used to seeing her mother get emotional, but this made her cry.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The proper response to this is a cynical groan.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Both motors stay at or below 45 dBA even at full power, something that will genuinely surprise anyone used to the whine of current-generation motors.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 10,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The whine from that straight-cut gearbox alone is painfully loud, say nothing of the wide-open exhaust on the 4.0 L flat-six.—
Tim Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, Super Mario Galaxy is hardly complaining about coming in second ruling the roost for weeks, since it’s now focused on becoming the first film of the year to join the billion-dollar club after finishing Sunday with a global total of $871 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Commenters who never have been — and never will go — complain about the cost, the influencers, the hype.—
Andrea Domanick,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By the fourth quarter, this game was over, leaving it to Kennard to send the crowd howling into the night by supplying three fourth-quarter treys on three attempts and making a Game 1 MVP out of Rob Pelinka.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The Midwest wind howled throughout the evening, up to nearly 30 mph.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On the British side of the Pond, however, no government has dared to do worse things to the BBC than moan about it.—
Max Hastings,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
-
On the British side of the Pond, however, no government has dared to do worse things to the BBC than moan about it.—
Max Hastings,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
McEntire, Stefani and Legend were brought to tears by Carter's emotional performance.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tatum also knows the value of peer support after leaning on players like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray — all of whom suffered Achilles tears last season — during his recovery.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The audio included crying, screaming and banging, prompting jurors to sob and appear visibly shaken.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Ending up living on the boat, Telsi notices her companions leave at dawn and return soaked and crying.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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