wail

1 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 of wail groan, howl, keen, lamentation, moan, plaint, lamentWords Related to wail cry, sob, tears; agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping; hand-wringing, regret; complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest; anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woeNear Antonyms of wail cheering, laughing, smilingAntonyms of wail exultation, rejoicing

2 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 Synonyms of wail groan, moanWords Related to wail blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering; keen, lament, lamentation, plaint; bawl, cry, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowlNear Antonyms of wail cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter

3 an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers Synonyms of wail beef, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, complaint, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammerWords Related to wail challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stinkNear Antonyms of wail commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction

1 to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes Synonyms of wail beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, complain, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowlWords Related to wail object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lamentNear Antonyms of wail accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commendAntonyms of wail crow, delight, rejoice

2 to make a long loud mournful sound the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters Synonyms of wail bay, keen, ululate, howl, yowlWords Related to wail bawl, caterwaul, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yawp (or yaup), yell, yelp

3 to utter a moan the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain Synonyms of wail groan, moanWords Related to wail blubber, cry, sob, weep; sniff, snivel, whimper, whine; bemoan, bewail, deplore, keen, lament, rue; agonize, anguish, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, sorrow, suffer; bawl, howl, shriek, squall, yammer, yelp, yowlNear Antonyms of wail cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, titter, twitter