WAILS Synonyms: 138 Similar and Opposite Words

wails 1 of 2

noun

plural of wail

as in tears

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

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as in groans

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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as in whines

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment a transit fare increase that is sure to bring wails from the straphangers

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wails

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wail

as in complains

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes

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as in howls

to make a long loud mournful sound the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

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as in moans

to utter a moan the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain

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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 wails

Noun

Memory tends to lose sound quickly, but even years later, Jake’s mother’s wails play with the same staccatos and double chords. — Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026 Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026 After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief. — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026 Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away. — Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026 Within moments, a smoke detector wails. — ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026 Mitchell has made the point before that every new technology brings wails that the fish won’t survive. — Mike McFeely, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026 There was grit and grime to his feedback-heavy guitar wails, but there was sweep and grandeur too, more apparent on stage than on record. — Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026 Ride the thrill of Hostile Design’s passionate wails and percussion overload when the group headlines eight shows to kick off the new year, making their way across California, Rhode Island, Quebec, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Illinois with the same energy that once fueled their humble beginnings. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026

Verb

Sam makes a production out of teasing them, mock-reaching for various items on the set as the whole group moans and wails in distress. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026 Another voice wails in the background. — ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026 Anna wails, determined to separate the pair at any cost and not lacking in support from the others. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026 As Electridad wails for justice, her brother Orestes spends his time in exile with Nino (Luis Medina), a move made by his late father in probable anticipation of his demise. — Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025 The Ferrari hybrid, for its part, still wails like a La Scala tenor to an emotional, 8,000-rpm peak. — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wails

Noun

There were some tears in the audience and more than a few on the stage.

— Tom Selleck, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
When told her testimony was done, Tina burst into tears in front of the jury and buried her face in a tissue.

— Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of tears

Noun

An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Not long afterward, witnesses heard groans and heavy breathing as the spiritual adviser put her hands on his shoulders and prayed over him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of groans

Noun

Wails and moans of grief interspersed the chanting, until the small coffin was lowered into the grave.

— Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026
On the second call, the medical alert company employee connected a local 911 call-taker to audio from the home, where the woman's moans of pain and threats by a man could be heard.

— David Clarey, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of moans

Verb

Erin then complains about her daughter and drones on about all sorts of things that no one can even pretend to care about.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
Changes in Water Pressure Ragsdale’s antenna immediately goes up when a homeowner complains about low water pressure.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of complains

Verb

And then there’s the sad, as when Earle cries about her breakup or reveals that her mother was diagnosed with cancer while Alix was competing on Dancing With the Stars.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
Residents and volunteers formed human chains, while others stood silently nearby, listening for tapping sounds or cries from below.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of cries

Noun

These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 18 Feb. 2026
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.

— H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of lamentations

Noun

Sturridge’s speech was one thing, but there will be more serious complaints from Brazil if people feel their great hope is being overlooked.

— Jack Lang, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Wisconsin Elections Commission referred two complaints to the Brown County district attorney's office, paving the way for prosecutors to decide if Musk should be charged.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026