Synonyms of wail

wail 1 of 2

noun

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

• cry
• tears
• lamentation
• groan
• howl
• mourning
• moan
• lament
• weeping
• sob
• keen
• plaint
• suffering
• protest
• regret
• sorrow
• outcry
• anguish
• sorrowing
• grief
• grieving
• woe
• heartbreak
• heartache
• complaint
• hand-wringing
• agonizing
• dolor
• cri de coeur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicing
• exultation
• smiling
• laughing
• cheering

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groan
• moan
• crying
• whimpering
• sobbing
• shriek
• whimper
• cry
• weeping
• whining
• whine
• lamentation
• howl
• yelp
• lament
• yowl
• bawl
• blubbering
• keen
• yammering
• plaint
• sniveling
• squall

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laugh
• chuckle
• giggle
• cackle
• guffaw
• snicker
• titter
• twitter
• chortle
• snigger

3

as in whine

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment

a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• whine
• moan
• lament
• complaint
• bitch
• fuss
• grievance
• whimper
• squawk
• bleat
• grumble
• murmur
• grouse
• gripe
• holler
• whinge
• carp
• yammer
• plaint
• beef
• protest
• miserere
• kvetch
• objection
• grouch
• expostulation
• remonstrance
• demur
• quibble
• challenge
• stink
• kick
• niggle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• praise
• compliment
• applause
• commendation
• approval
• acclaim
• plaudit
• sanction
• endorsement

wail

2 of 2

verb

ˈwāl 

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

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan
• mutter
• growl
• cry
• grumble
• whimper
• worry
• squeal
• squawk
• bitch
• murmur
• kick
• holler
• bleat
• inveigh
• caterwaul
• nag
• yowl
• gripe
• whinge
• repine
• grouse
• kvetch
• beef
• yammer
• bellyache
• croak
• keen
• yawp
• grizzle
• protest
• carp
• kick up a fuss
• sob
• crab
• fuss
• grouch
• grump
• maunder
• quarrel (with)
• object (to)
• lament
• cavil
• quibble
• fret
• bewail
• stew
• blubber
• bemoan
• deplore

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoice
• delight
• endure
• accept
• take
• tolerate
• bear
• crow
• cheer
• applaud
• countenance
• commend

2

as in to howl

to make a long loud mournful sound

the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• howl
• scream
• shriek
• yell
• ululate
• bay
• shrill
• screech
• yowl
• keen
• squeal
• squall
• yelp
• bawl
• caterwaul
• yawp

3

as in to groan

to utter a moan

the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groan
• moan
• cry
• sob
• whine
• whimper
• shriek
• weep
• howl
• sorrow
• lament
• sniff
• yelp
• bewail
• anguish
• grieve
• blubber
• snivel
• mourn
• bemoan
• rue
• squall
• bawl
• deplore
• suffer
• agonize
• keen
• hurt
• bleed
• yowl
• yammer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laugh
• giggle
• chuckle
• cackle
• snicker
• crack up
• twitter
• guffaw
• chortle
• titter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wail

Noun

Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026

Within moments, a smoke detector wails. — ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026

Verb

Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town). — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026

Added to the mix is Ian Stewart, the Stones’ longtime road manager, playing piano in boogie-woogie style, plus a wailing sax solo by Bobby Keys. — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 July 2026

Phrases Containing wail

• wail (for)