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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of wailed
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
Paredones laid down thumping cumbia bass lines as Adolfo Mercado, often compared to Animal of The Muppets, wailed on the drums.
—Ivan Kashinsky, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
As the siren wailed before kickoff on the rainy night the stadium scoreboards flashed HURRICANE WARNING.
—Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Probably no one has wailed this role with quite the gusto that Lambert wails it, though many have tried.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Instead, the main event was a regular monthly test of the historic siren, known formally as an ACA Hurricane 130 MKII model, which ― at precisely noon ― wailed for just over three minutes near North 81st Street and West Bradley Road before settling back into patient silence.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
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
Paredones laid down thumping cumbia bass lines as Adolfo Mercado, often compared to Animal of The Muppets, wailed on the drums.
—Ivan Kashinsky, NPR, 8 Oct. 2025
As the siren wailed before kickoff on the rainy night the stadium scoreboards flashed HURRICANE WARNING.
—Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Probably no one has wailed this role with quite the gusto that Lambert wails it, though many have tried.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Aug. 2025
Instead, the main event was a regular monthly test of the historic siren, known formally as an ACA Hurricane 130 MKII model, which ― at precisely noon ― wailed for just over three minutes near North 81st Street and West Bradley Road before settling back into patient silence.
—Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wailed
Verb
-
There was little pushback from industry leaders or consumer advocates on Tuesday even though towing representatives had previously complained that the changes would add costs and consumer lawyers had objected that the recommendations didn’t go far enough to protect drivers.—
Dave Altimari,
ProPublica,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But monks there complained that the slain king was walking around at night, frightening them with strange sounds.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Predictably, America’s left-wing mayors howled in protest at the weekend actions.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Gabriel Ebert was immaculately cast as the teens’ seeming ally of a teacher, and Sink and her castmates all bared their teeth and howled their humanity at the moon.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
4 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.—
Lauren Caruba,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
From the other room, the victim moaned.—
Stephanie Kuzydym,
The Courier-Journal,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
With this vote, you guys just screamed from the rooftops.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The announcer screamed into the microphone.—
Sara Schiff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Audience members groaned at the pun.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
17 Dec. 2025
-
One of the inmates reported Gondor approached her bunk, rubbed her foot with the crotch of his pants, and groaned.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
13 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Chip whined and nuzzled at my hand.—
Joel M. Vance,
Outdoor Life,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The hip-hop star and thousands of fans proceeded to do just that as Fowler sobbed happy tears.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
16 Dec. 2025
-
His sister sobbed, clutching tissues in her hand.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
11 Dec. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Wailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wailed. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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