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
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.
—Literary Hub, 4 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
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.
—Literary Hub, 4 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
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
-
Crybaby is another Pop Mart favorite, easily recognizable by its big eyes, puffy cheeks, and of course, stream of tears.—
Katie Decker-Jacoby,
StyleCaster,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The rest of them gathered right beneath the trap, reaching up with pudgy arms and the tiniest fingers, eyes suddenly dripping tears.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Yankee Stadium released exasperated groans as New York fell to Toronto’s rotating relievers and the Yankees’ bats faltered in late-inning opportunities.—
The Athletic MLB Staff,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Soon, audible groans could be heard on the recording.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Gimme Credit also complains that a run of acquisitions in both food and beverages have added $5 billion to PepsiCo’s debt in just the first half of 2025.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The President reportedly watches hours of cable news every day, and frequently complains about coverage in real time.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The ugly episode drew howls from those lawmakers in both parties who are calling to tone down the hostilities and focus on legislating, not seeking attention on social media.—
Mike Lillis,
The Hill,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The screams, the reason everyone assembles, when the screams come, after a few collective inhales and exhales and a moment to gather one’s thoughts, the screams come like long guttural howls.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
While many messages and cries against the administration were shared, the common thread of the protest was people coming together to show America's strength and the power of the people.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Her soft sobs erupted into cries that filled the room.—
Faith Karimi,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Stein’s bedroom adjoined the room where Dodge would visit her lover at night; kept awake by the murmurings and moans, Stein lit a candle and composed a portrait of her host.—
Via Scribner,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
But these complaints do not negate the actual successes of inflation, nor its ability to make truly generic predictions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
14 Oct. 2025
-
The spokesperson did not comment in response to the complaints of harm to public health.—
Dan Vergano,
Scientific American,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Police said the officers encountered Billings prior to hearing screams at the park.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
-
So why does the sight of her, bottle-blonde and clad in a green dress that screams vintage Dream Factory glitz, still give off such deflating Jenny-from-the-block vibes?—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share