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 groan, howl, keen, lamentation, moan, plaint, lamentRelated Words 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 cheering, laughing, smilingAntonyms 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 groan, moanRelated Words blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering; keen, lament, lamentation, plaint; bawl, cry, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowlNear Antonyms 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 beef, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, squawk, complaint, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammerRelated Words challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stinkNear Antonyms commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction