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
Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Verb
When the coroner’s deputy lifted Malachi’s body to take it away that night in October 2023, there was no wailing or sobbing from his parents. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 This Lusitania didn’t sink as a formal band played, but the ticking of each man’s pocket watch synchronized to form a furious percussion section, and all those wailing women’s voices layered into girl-group harmonies. — Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 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
  • Yell, scream, jeer, cry, wail, plead—but don’t dare do it while the players are still hitting the ball.
    — Corey Seymour, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Notably, in October 2025, Shepherd even revealed that founding host Barbara Walters was tough on her during her tenure, to the point of making her cry.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • When journalist Matthew Belloni broke the news of Paltrow’s upcoming dinner party last week in his Puck newsletter, a groan went up from some corners of the internet.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
  • An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 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
  • Meanwhile top women’s seed Aryna Sabalenka complained when the smell of marijuana wafted from crowd to court.
    — Greg Cote September 6, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Influencers, along with other fans, have interrupted matches and top player Aryna Sabalenka complained about the smell of marijuana during a match.
    — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • There are moments on Wowed Out when a younger James would have howled, would have ventured all the way out to sea, would have let his guitar erupt.
    — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026
  • But their instruments often weep, howl, and ululate as much as the vocals.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of howl
Verb
  • Sam makes a production out of teasing them, mock-reaching for various items on the set as the whole group moans and wails in distress.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Endo is the sixth choice midfielder and someone who never moans about his place in the pecking order.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • And one of the most common causes is a problem with the meibomian glands, the oil glands in the eyelids that keep tears from drying up too fast.
    — Maria Godoy, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Game 99 at Gold Coast provided a good rehearsal for Arrow’s big night in Sydney, but brought humour through the tears.
    — Michael Bailey, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of tears
Noun
  • The crying can become the dominant thing, and the acting is the crying as opposed to being able to convey a personality underneath all of that, being able to find the nuance of who this character is outside of the crying.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Another video shows a man holding the crying infant, with his arms covered in blood and the lower half of his body still trapped in rubble.
    — Duarte Dias, CBS News, 12 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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