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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Edmund Vallance, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025
People judge others for the precise pitch of their wails.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025
The kids wail and giggle and leave their toys everywhere, and Hilaria takes a deep breath while struggling to load them all into the car.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Photos by Sinna Nasseri By Sunday morning on the Sunset Strip, there was no escaping the wail of West Hollywood: the rumble of Harley Davidsons; the shudder of police helicopters; the blast of bass-heavy hip-hop from the guts of a Porsche convertible.
—Edmund Vallance, AFAR Media, 18 Mar. 2025
People judge others for the precise pitch of their wails.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
For all the wailing and finger-pointing when Stamkos was not re-signed last summer, the Lightning’s confidence and resolve to not overpay for a star in his twilight years may have set Tampa Bay on another path to postseason glory.
—John Romano, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2025
The kids wail and giggle and leave their toys everywhere, and Hilaria takes a deep breath while struggling to load them all into the car.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
The user's husband initially dismissed the sound as a fox, but as the cries continued, curiosity took over.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
18 May 2025
-
The life of Pope Leo shows that one’s identity and loyalties are shaped by experience, and Leo’s experience is one with deep roots outside of the U.S., closeness to the cry of the poor, and the clear conviction that the best way to lead is through service rather than raw power and fear.—
Raúl E. Zegarra,
Time,
17 May 2025
Noun
-
Roxy doesn't take her eyes from the screen, and when Aishah turns the camera to show what's happening in the movie, Roxy can be heard making a noise somewhere between a growl and a whine.—
Mohammed Soliman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Inside the fence, the atmosphere was oddly peaceful, and sometimes so quiet that the loudest noise was the whine of an overhead drone.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
6 May 2025
Verb
-
Cannon complained to Delta and to the Department of Transportation, which regulates airlines.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
-
Because Cook was complaining of the defendants' speech (the media statements) and petition activity (the filing of the memorandum), the action fell within the scope of the UPEPA's protections for freedom of speech and to petition.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Verb
-
Grok 3: The wind howled through the jagged spires of the Frostfang Reaches, carrying a chill that bit deeper than any blade, and Ser Willem Cray felt its teeth in his bones.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, the unmistakable sounds of a dog howling and barking echo loudly off-screen.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Verb
-
Tables groaned with treats: plates of seafood, bowls of Greek salad, tubs of plump olives.—
Tony Perrottet,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
-
The auteur’s new ensemble film practically groans under the weight of A-list headliners such as Benicio Del Toro, Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Jeffrey Wright and Tom Hanks.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
7 May 2025
Noun
-
The eyes start rolling and the moans come out when dudes get super gooned.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
6 May 2025
-
The courtroom reverberated with the anguished moans and last breaths of Brianna Kupfer.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
My own experience and reality invalidated and denied, which in her heart today would be a very painful lament.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
11 May 2025
-
This episode was just like that, a lot of quick dancing, jazz hands, and even a lament sung by Shauhin, just for the most boring and obvious thing to happen in the end.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
8 May 2025
Verb
-
Videos posted to social media appear to show the mast of the ship crashing into the bridge just before 8:30 p.m., as passengers and nearby onlookers screamed, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation on the East River for the injured and overboard passengers.—
Alexandra Koch , Alexis McAdams , CB Cotton , Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
-
Downstairs on the fairy-tale terrace, over an exorbitant Scottish cheese board, her mother and husband and sister were all screaming at one another.—
Patricia Lockwood,
New Yorker,
18 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share