1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in whines
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 complains
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 moans
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 wails
H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 6 Feb. 2026
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
People judge others for the precise pitch of their wails.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
So, on the night after the murder, the town’s streets were filled with anguished cries from the Inuit—wails of loss and pain.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Her wails make Davina recall her own confinement, where she was treated similarly awfully and responded by cursing the women in the room.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Two sets of arms wrapped around me, more of his friends, holding me until my wails subsided.
—Kimberly Bridson, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
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
Noun
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
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.
—Molly Hunter, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
People judge others for the precise pitch of their wails.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
So, on the night after the murder, the town’s streets were filled with anguished cries from the Inuit—wails of loss and pain.
—Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
Her wails make Davina recall her own confinement, where she was treated similarly awfully and responded by cursing the women in the room.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
Two sets of arms wrapped around me, more of his friends, holding me until my wails subsided.
—Kimberly Bridson, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wails
Noun
-
Tokenizing someone is always an ugly thing — yet Rubio deserves no tears.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
-
And so, there [were] some tears.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Scanlon said inclusion of the searches in Bondi’s binder was also indicative of her intentions, with the attorney general repeatedly referencing the guide to push back on members, sparking groans from several.—
Rebecca Beitsch,
The Hill,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
At the same time, the Brighton captain, Pascal Gross, complains to referee Chris Kavanagh.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And a woman who complains is said to be defying nature itself.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Karen howls in a video Kaley posted to Instagram as a teenager.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
-
At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Over the next few years, relief rates rose as the companies provided more individualized responses to complaints filed through the agency.—
Joel Jacobs,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Chicago taxpayers had to front a $100,000 settlement with the two ex-staffers who filed wrongful termination complaints.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Whale’s picture, the bride doesn’t talk — only screams or hisses like an irritated cat — and is brought to life 5 minutes before the credits roll.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The picture with a bald eagle might be photoshopped, but the image screams America, right?—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
