1
as in cry
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 groan
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 whine
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 to complain
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 to groan
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 wail
Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025
In this ode to deception, stark ironies become the self-punishing wail of survivors.
—William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
On Friday evening, as Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Israel, the majority of which were intercepted by the country’s Iron Dome defense system, sirens wailed throughout Tiberius and hotel guests were ushered into a safe zone for about a half an hour.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Staying put In Kyiv, residents have adjusted to the regular wail of sirens and periodic explosions.
—Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025
In this ode to deception, stark ironies become the self-punishing wail of survivors.
—William Logan, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
The video also has audio of the incident, where the passenger begins wailing in rhythm with the physical motions.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2025
On Friday evening, as Iranian ballistic missiles rained down on Israel, the majority of which were intercepted by the country’s Iron Dome defense system, sirens wailed throughout Tiberius and hotel guests were ushered into a safe zone for about a half an hour.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
Hearing the monkey’s cries— what of the child abandoned to the autumn wind?—
Rebecca Chace
July 14,
Literary Hub,
14 July 2025
-
Sixty-years-and-change later, that’s still the rallying cry of drivers who regard the Porsche 911 as the best sports car in the world.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Air raid sirens, the whine of kamikaze drones and booming detonations reverberated from early evening until dawn as Russia launched what Ukraine's Air Force said was a total of 539 drones and 11 missiles.—
Pavel Polityuk,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
-
Pretty soon, the whine of the gears, the shriek of the diff, and the sheer cacophony of combustion make conversation all but impossible.—
Tim Pitt,
Robb Report,
28 May 2025
Verb
-
A number of Tesla shareholders, including some Democrats who oversee the investment of public sector pension fund money in Tesla stock, complained in May to Tesla Board Chair Robyn Denholm that Musk’s other activities are hurting the company.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
-
Trump has complained about the EU's $231 billion trade surplus in goods, which shows Americans buy more goods from European businesses than the other way around.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Criticisms of budget cuts without budget solutions is simply howling at the moon.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
8 July 2025
-
When this resulted in severe shortages of more than 200 medications, including drugs used to treat cancer and deliver emergency care, Congress howled.—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Behind the door, Red groaned, then gave himself a self-motivating shout.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
-
Concerns that the Texas power grid, managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), could soon begin to groan under the weight of surging demand, led the Texas Legislature to pass Senate Bill 6 (SB 6) in the 2025 session.—
David Blackmon,
Forbes.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
-
Out comes another moan, this one closer to a laugh as Brandon’s face flashes a smile.—
Scott Craven,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
-
Suffice to say, the 2025 Cannes market will be filled with even more groans on moans than years past.—
Elsa Ramo,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
Without prompting, Cora then offered a lament regarding the state of the All-Star Game today.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Why Nara Smith's Quirky Charm Is So Endearing In the comments on all these videos, people tend to either make fun of Smith or lament that someday her children will grow up to resent their names.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Footage from onboard captures passengers, including children, screaming in fear as the cabin shakes and lightning flashes surround them.—
Colson Thayer,
People.com,
14 July 2025
-
Elderly residents rushed to their windows to scream and beg for help as smoke filled the hallways.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
14 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share