wail 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wailnext
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

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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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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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wail

2 of 2

verb

ˈwāl How to pronounce wail (audio)
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
as in to howl
to make a long loud mournful sound the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

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3
as in to groan
to utter a moan the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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. — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Verb
My mom still talks about the 16-year-old girl in the hospital bed next to me wailing after a similar surgery. — Rebekah Taussig, Time, 7 July 2026 Lind had to do a lot of wailing upon discovering Rob-Will’s lifeless body, but the waterworks weren’t limited to just her coverage. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
  1. cry
  2. groan
  3. whine
  4. complain
  5. howl
  6. moan
  7. tears
  8. crying
Noun
  • Co-chair Emily Ladau, a disability rights activist, communications strategist and author, framed the committee's work around a phrase long used as a rallying cry in disability advocacy circles.
    — Keely Cat-Wells, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • The players turned the international spotlight and goodwill of their 2023 victory into an international rallying cry that highlighted the poor treatment of female players.
    — Madeline Fox, NPR, 17 July 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • The groan-shout of sweaty irritation that rose from our bench was life-sucking, and also far too familiar.
    — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 8 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2026
Definition of groan
Noun
  • Meanwhile, turbo noise fills the cabin alongside the odd electric motor whine.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 30 June 2026
Definition of whine
Verb
  • Rodriguez said in a May phone interview with the Herald that detainees had been complaining when a guard approached him and told him to walk out of the cage where he and other men were housed.
    — Churchill Ndonwie, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 July 2026
  • At the local level, administrators often complain there is little clarity on what is expected of them and, too often, outright conflict.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • These two characters have maybe two minutes of screentime between them, and yet a certain portion of the internet, and Elon Musk, have raged, gnashed teeth and howled to the wind about the way this denigrates a Greek classic.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • When giant hailstones start falling, or howling winter winds threaten to tear solar panels from the roof, the unprotected modules can do nothing but take the beating.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026
Definition of howl
Verb
  • Swinging his hips, moaning into the mic and briefly getting promiscuous with a mic stand was the authenticity that the majority-millennial crowd expected.
    — Sophie Lindberg July 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026
  • Federal officers stand over a man with a bloody shirt who is handcuffed face down, moaning in pain as his left foot shakes.
    — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • While relatives looked on in bemusement, my brother and I burst into tears, inconsolable.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
  • On Wednesday, Argentina player Lisandro Martínez was asked if the banner could have stirred deep emotions and tears for a veteran of the Malvinas conflict.
    — Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of tears
Noun
  • Wanner was taken by the suspect, leaving behind her 11-month-old daughter in a high chair, where she was later found crying and alone.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • 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.
    — Karli Bendlin, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026
Definition of crying

Phrases Containing wail

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Cite this Entry

“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of wail for Spanish Speakers

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