wail 1 of 2

wail

2 of 2

verb

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
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river. Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Even in quiet moments—picture foggy mornings, candlelit pubs, the distant wail of bagpipes—Edinburgh feels alive with mystery. Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
And throughout a 100-minute show, Cain recounted the story of a preacher’s daughter through wailing vocals, haunting drones, and meditative, languorous chants. Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Sep. 2025 As the siren wailed before kickoff on the rainy night the stadium scoreboards flashed HURRICANE WARNING. Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
  • The rallying cry from Shakespeare’s Henry V, ahead of the Battle of Agincourt, might as well be the motto of today’s artificial intelligence elites.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
  • The cries and coos Lydia and all the other Fairfield mothers made around her little sister made Catherine sick.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Yankee Stadium released exasperated groans as New York fell to Toronto’s rotating relievers and the Yankees’ bats faltered in late-inning opportunities.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
  • Eventually, audible groans could be heard on the recording.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The unfiltered electric soundtrack of the Evija goes from a piercing whine to an ear-splitting shriek.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2025
  • Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Some Russians already have complained about Max’s functionality (and mocked VK’s semi-cheesy, semi-effective enlistment of rappers, comedians, and influencers to promote it).
    Justin Sherman, The Atlantic, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Don’t-complain, just-eat-your-meal type people.
    Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But many lonely and anxious dogs will also howl, especially those with separation anxiety.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Normally, howling and yowling in the presence of another cat is not a good sign.
    Joan Morris, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There’s something moaning in the background.
    Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The deputies ultimately roll him over before putting on handcuffs as Mull can be heard moaning in pain.
    Nathaniel Percy, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Resident Angelica Estrada, speaking through tears, urged the council to reject the project, citing the health impacts of diesel pollution on families.
    Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • La Llorona’s tears can’t be ignored.
    Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That revelation—learning that uncontrollable crying wasn’t her personality but neurological damage—became another layer of self-compassion.
    Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Beyond the firing of weapons, beyond the screaming and crying that comes with injuries and loss.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

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