1
as in wail
a crying out in grief
when the underdogs lost the playoffs, the groans of millions of disappointed fans were heard throughout the land
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in moan
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
let out a groan when he tried to stand on the sprained ankle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to moan
to utter a moan
heard someone groaning 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 groan
Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Many of her jokes relied heavily on wordplay, like one about how the Rock might win a Globe because The Paper wasn’t nominated, but even sweaty double entendres like this landed well because Glaser moved on so quickly that there was no time for groans.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
Inside Chase Center, where there were more empty seats than usual, the crowd groaned.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for groan
Noun
Initially, DeGraaf -- a frequent filbusterer -- drew some groans.
—Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Many of her jokes relied heavily on wordplay, like one about how the Rock might win a Globe because The Paper wasn’t nominated, but even sweaty double entendres like this landed well because Glaser moved on so quickly that there was no time for groans.
—Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Verb
The branches of that tree hanging over your home are groaning and creaking, tossed against each other like so many toothpicks.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 30 Jan. 2026
Inside Chase Center, where there were more empty seats than usual, the crowd groaned.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for groan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groan
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
The song eventually escalates into a lecherous, breathless, glittering climax of incandescent synthesizers and melodic moans—an erotic asphyxiation depicted as utterly glorious.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
While the 27-year-old skater was brought to tears after seeing her final time, Paul was in the stands doing the same, surrounded by her family, who also couldn’t help but cry tears of joy.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Gripped with pain, tears streamed down her face the entire two-hour trip from the airport to her parents’ home in Albany.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Maybe you’ve been told that crying is a sign of weakness.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There’s the memory of Richard Sherman standing in front of Earl Thomas in the locker room, shielding a crying teammate while fielding questions about what went wrong.—
Jerry Brewer,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Joe’s voice rose to a shrill cry.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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
-
The ghetto is full of lamentation.—
Dr. Michael Good,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
-
At about two this morning, the familiar howl of air-raid sirens woke me in the center of Kyiv, followed by the low thuds of anti-aircraft cannons attempting to shoot down Russian drones.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The changes are a source of both lament and ambivalence.—
Naomi Jackson,
Curbed,
11 Feb. 2026
-
There is inward-looking anger in Thompson’s voice, halfway between rebuke and lament.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groan. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
