1
as in wails
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 moans
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 cries
to utter a moan
heard someone groaning in pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of groans
Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Alas, those rooting for niche history in the desert soon traded their prospective cheers for the visceral groans.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Exasperated groans followed from three of the four stands, and that pattern continued as Brighton players kept misplacing passes when forcing themselves into quick decisions.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Scanlon said inclusion of the searches in Bondi’s binder was also indicative of her intentions, with the attorney general repeatedly referencing the guide to push back on members, sparking groans from several.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The ball nestling into the net was greeted with the unique mix of cheers and groans in Viejas Arena that, to the gambling crowd, can mean only one thing.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The video ends as Chakraborty collapses onto a couch and groans in pain with the officer continuing to yell at him to drop the knife.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The speech was met by deafening cheers, and a tiny smattering of groans from people on the other side of the political spectrum.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
After a clunky moment of audience groans and O’Brien trying to keep a straight face, the camera moved back to the winners.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Alas, those rooting for niche history in the desert soon traded their prospective cheers for the visceral groans.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Exasperated groans followed from three of the four stands, and that pattern continued as Brighton players kept misplacing passes when forcing themselves into quick decisions.
—Art De Roché, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Back at the gathering, there were Martha’s groans and Gretchen’s anger, and there was Mike, clasping his chest—a heart attack?
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Scanlon said inclusion of the searches in Bondi’s binder was also indicative of her intentions, with the attorney general repeatedly referencing the guide to push back on members, sparking groans from several.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
The ball nestling into the net was greeted with the unique mix of cheers and groans in Viejas Arena that, to the gambling crowd, can mean only one thing.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
The video ends as Chakraborty collapses onto a couch and groans in pain with the officer continuing to yell at him to drop the knife.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The speech was met by deafening cheers, and a tiny smattering of groans from people on the other side of the political spectrum.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
For nearly two minutes in Monday’s 132-107 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Chicago Bulls played basketball to a soundtrack of gasps and groans.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groans
Noun
-
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
Noun
-
The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some players collapsed onto the turf in joyful tears.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Neither said a word as tears fell down their faces.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sean said the dogs knocked his mother to the ground and continued attacking her as a passerby, who heard her cries from about a block away, rushed over on a bicycle to help.—
Angelique Brenes,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Amazingly, there didn’t seem to be a single boo or any cries of dissent.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In response to howls of protest, the commission has agreed to a 180-day moratorium on severing the ties with PBS.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The legislation behind this flurry of warnings and laments is Assembly Bill 1207, which emerged from backroom negotiations last September.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Leading a group of seasoned musicians that includes guitarist Adam Brisbin and harp player Mary Lattimore, and working once again with Krivchenia as his producer, Meek continues to revel in the role of traditional troubadour of mid-tempo laments with heavy gestures to Buffalo Springfield.—
Dean Van Nguyen,
Pitchfork,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groans. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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