wailed

Definition of wailednext
past tense of wail
1
2
as in howled
to make a long loud mournful sound the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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 wailed On Choute’s lap rode her Siamese cat, Vergère, who wailed throughout the journey. Literary Hub, 6 May 2026 Car alarms wailed in a parking lot. Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 Belton experiences As sirens wailed the night of the tornado, Bill Anderson hunkered down in his basement a mile and a half away from the cemetery, Anderson told The Star by text. Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026 Others wailed and screamed, raising their arms in the air. Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 According to the post, the officer approached the gate, asked what was going on, and stood watching as the husky wailed. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 On Thursday, sirens wailed and loud explosions were heard shortly after midnight in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel. ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026 Israeli authorities focused on Iran, and citizens dashed repeatedly for shelter as sirens wailed. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Air raid sirens wailed in Israel as multiple missiles targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem early Sunday. Greg Myre, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wailed
Verb
  • Staff and managers complained about the lack of specifics, as did legal-services providers and advocacy groups.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026
  • Fans and politicians have complained in every language.
    Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Richard howled obscenities at three officers who were talking to him through the locked door.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The Midwest wind howled throughout the evening, up to nearly 30 mph.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Coach Arne Slot moaned about VAR but his problems lie much closer to home.
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • On Tuesday, officers originally were called to the residence after a female ran out to an animal control officer in the area and screamed that her family member had been shot.
    Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 7 May 2026
  • Set in Chicago in the Jazz Age and inspired by the true crime of passion news events that screamed from Windy City newspaper headlines, the musical is based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist covering the city’s courthouse beat.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
Verb
  • Asked about the top of the 10th, Tracy groaned.
    Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 3 May 2026
  • The man groaned again when the nurse touched his elbow.
    Darrell Smith May 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Remember that one time John Boyega, who played Finn, whined about how Disney didn't do his black character justice?
    Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
  • He was outplayed by kids who had maybe 1/15th of his raw talent and whined to officials.
    Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On the flight, Michelle sobbed uncontrollably for a half hour.
    Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • One man sobbed into the sleeves of his evening jacket.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wailed. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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