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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wails
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.
—Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 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
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 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
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
Noun
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.
—Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 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
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 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
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
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
-
The Bruins’ bat boy’s tears stained the front of Cholowsky’s jersey as his sobs grew heavier by the second.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
The 22-year-old Wembanyama was emotional, bursting into tears as the final horn blew and again choking back emotions after being named the Most Valuable Player of the WCF.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
Her remarks were met with groans, loud exhaling and other audible exasperation from a court gallery filled with victims and their families.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
-
The crowd responded with groans after the move, which did damage to both men.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain.—
Abigail Adams,
PEOPLE,
21 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Then, the cries of Ginny’s baby are a major wake-up call for the couple that can’t be ignored.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
28 May 2026
-
The house band drums intensify, a violin cries and guitar chords growl.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Whether Glasner was justified or not in his complaints, a prolonged period of poor form, stretching back well over a month, coupled with his outbursts, led to questions over his future.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The mounting complaints about Joanna Landau, the agency’s new executive director, came to a head during a two-hour public meeting attended by more than 200 people late Friday afternoon, just before the start of the three-day holiday weekend.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The eyelet design that covers the bodice and skirt of the garment screams summer, while the tie shoulders add extra visual interest.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
Most of Lucy Boynton’s beauty references the 1960s, and this doll-like bob screams modern mod.—
Calin Van Paris,
InStyle,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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