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
Relevance
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
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
The resulting wail is certainly not kitten-like, sounding more like a cross between a sport bike and a completely uncorked race car.
—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
29 Apr. 2026
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
Those themes are compelling on paper, but they’re expressed through a confusing mix of abstraction and hyper-local specificity, hidden beneath biker rock riffs, and obscured through Allbrook’s wiry, wailing vocal delivery.
—
Cassidy Sollazzo,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.
—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
The resulting wail is certainly not kitten-like, sounding more like a cross between a sport bike and a completely uncorked race car.
—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
Meanwhile, DeGuzman wailed in the background.
—
Jakob Rodgers,
Mercury News,
23 June 2026
Those themes are compelling on paper, but they’re expressed through a confusing mix of abstraction and hyper-local specificity, hidden beneath biker rock riffs, and obscured through Allbrook’s wiry, wailing vocal delivery.
—
Cassidy Sollazzo,
Pitchfork,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
For some, the good news started with a whisper — or a baby’s cry.
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Such efforts at avoidance would lead to cries to apply payroll taxes to non-salary incomes such as dividends.
Noun
-
When his attempt to force a second playoff hole rolled just left, the hundreds who gathered around the green were stunned, letting out a collective groan of disbelief.
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Out comes a guttural groan, her exertion a tight whip cracking open a black hole of pain.
Noun
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That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
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Test recordings sounded clear and full, and the noise cancellation completely blocked out the buzz and whine of my 3D printer.
Verb
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Even Hakimi didn't complain, instead giving van de Ven a dap of respect.
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The document complains about trade, customs officers, juryless courts, and judges’ salaries.
Verb
-
Gary ad-libbed to the sound of howling winds and ominous metal scraping.
-
Jingoists howled with rage that a foreigner—no, worse, a German—had got the England job.
Verb
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The call lasted for 12 excruciating minutes, as Adams moaned in pain.
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Witnesses who observed those executions later shared unnerving, and, at times, horrific, accounts of inmates thrashing, moaning, or otherwise appearing to show signs of suffering after the nitrogen gas began to flow.
Noun
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Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after scoring his first goal against Algeria and said after that match his tears came following some tough days not related to soccer.
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Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion after scoring his first goal against Algeria, and said after that match his tears came following some tough days not related to soccer.
Noun
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After Messi and his team's loss to Saudi Arabia in November 2022, the athlete told reporters, per The Mirror, that Mateo left the stadium crying.
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This is not the kid-crying, shoulder-to-shoulder type of resort; outside of newer guests, there are families who have been coming here for years and understand the groove of it all, from toddlers to teenagers.
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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