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
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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
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1
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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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
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
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
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
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
-
Kylie said that her kids’ excitement during this most recent trip has brought her to tears.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Her husband and three daughters, standing behind her, wiped tears from their cheeks.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 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
-
The president calls his wife and complains about the sole of his shoe before heading off to a girls’ basketball event with Angel Reese.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In addition, Alabama complains that the Times gave the school only four hours to respond to the story before it was published; this also coincided with the team getting ready to start the tournament.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Held in May of last year, the dinner saw walkouts and howls of dissent as Ari Emanuel tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what the super-agent saw as an overkill response to the October 7 attacks.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Wind howls as one of the daughters' body rocks on a gurney, her family lighting candles as a rabbi screams scripture with water crashing in a nearby tub.—
Michael Lee Simpson,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The scared but resilient puppy cries as rescuers work to free her.—
Michael Nied,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
There were cries of overreach when the Guard was deployed to stem segregationist tension in Arkansas and Alabama in the 1950s and '60s.—
Newsweek Contributors,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If someone swears on air, hosts typically apologize immediately to stay within Ofcom’s rules and avoid complaints or investigation.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Nov. 2025
-
Mercifully, breakfast goes by with no complaints.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The 2025 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore's cabin screams sports car.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Alternatively, nothing screams celebration more than a fun night out with my best friends and family.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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