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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
With the band mostly back together, the Minnesota Wild made the goal horn wail enough for their seventh straight win on Saturday.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 20 Dec. 2025
The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
Verb
Israeli authorities focused on Iran, and citizens dashed repeatedly for shelter as sirens wailed.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Mitski has never been afraid of thinking big, and there are moments here where the floorboards groan a little.—
Jon Dolan,
Rolling Stone,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These are no longer the days of whine and turned-up noses.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
30 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The large Sunbridge development is planned nearby, but there are no current residents anywhere near it to complain.—
Ryan Gillespie,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But Kesselman said his sister had unbelievable courage and never complained.—
Natalie McMillan,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the grips of her ghost, the young woman starts howling accusations aimed at a local mob boss (Zlatko Burić) who happens to be sitting at the bar.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Conjuring images of blizzards and howling winds, Kevin Richard Martin’s Sub Zero is called that for a reason.—
Andrew Ryce,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Tokenizing someone is always an ugly thing — yet Rubio deserves no tears.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And so, there [were] some tears.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The crying refreshed me somehow, and that was enough.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The baby was born alive and was breathing and crying.—
Carolyn Gusoff,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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