1
as in complained
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in moaned
to utter a moan
the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wailed
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
Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
Around the country, sirens wailed and people received cellphone alerts as Iran launched retaliatory strikes, which the Israeli military says have been intercepted by their missile defense system.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Their toddler, who was watching, went into her bedroom and wailed as her father penetrated her mother.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Sirens wailed and gunshots rang out as the two men grappled for several seconds, before Ahmed wrenched the gun from the attacker’s hands.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Once again, the Kiss Army wailed about the move, but the song just missed the pop Top 10 as the LP topped the million-unit mark.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
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
Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes.
—Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
Around the country, sirens wailed and people received cellphone alerts as Iran launched retaliatory strikes, which the Israeli military says have been intercepted by their missile defense system.
—CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Their toddler, who was watching, went into her bedroom and wailed as her father penetrated her mother.
—S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Sirens wailed and gunshots rang out as the two men grappled for several seconds, before Ahmed wrenched the gun from the attacker’s hands.
—Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Once again, the Kiss Army wailed about the move, but the song just missed the pop Top 10 as the LP topped the million-unit mark.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wailed
Verb
-
At that point, a strange odor in the cabin was reported, and flight attendants complained of sudden illness.—
Colleen Mondor,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In the early days of COVID, people complained of losing their sense of taste or smell.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Much like the snowstorm outside Williams Arena, the winds howled in another direction with Hopkins getting to the hoop and scoring 17 of the final 20 points for a 32-28 lead at the break.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Fans at my screening howled as ex-con maid Sydney Sweeney and desperate housewife Amanda Seyfried waged their hysterical suburban war.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The tow truck operator screamed at the sedan’s driver.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 27,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The son screamed and stopped the attack.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Though the ballot measure also didn’t say the state needed to provide all of that money at once, lawmakers were already bracing for a budget shortfall last year and groaned under the strain of finding any more funding.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Everyone in the car groaned with disappointment.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Haugh buried his head in the hardwood and sobbed.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Elena sobbed when her parents told her that the nanny wouldn’t be taking care of her anymore.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Wailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wailed. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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