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
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Recent Examples of wail
Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, sirens wailed and loud explosions were heard shortly after midnight in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
But their loud wail, which can be activated via a mobile app, can be heard about half a mile away.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
Tel Aviv, Israel — Specks of orange light streak across the night sky as air raid sirens wail in the background.
—Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 12 Mar. 2026
On Thursday, sirens wailed and loud explosions were heard shortly after midnight in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel.
—ABC News, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
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
-
That comment elicited an involuntary groan from the boy’s father, Dalvin Driver, who was in court.—
Clifford Ward,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But on a Sunday morning in July 1595, the groan of the heavy wooden door startled him from his gesticulations.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Village sounds of chickens and goats were pierced by the distant whine of commercial jets climbing out of Agadir’s international airport.—
Kevin West,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Mar. 2026
-
No suspicious whine in the air, no burning of pungent oils to put off biters.—
Antonia Quirke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Afterward, a student in the audience complained to his parents that, at the event, the deaths of Palestinian civilians had been characterized as collateral damage—a regrettable but unavoidable consequence of the battle against Hamas.—
Eyal Press,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The driver and passenger in the BMW complained of pain.—
Brandon Downs,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Elsewhere, Paula Rego’s two self portraits from 2017 show the artist howling through expressive pastel strokes.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
2 Apr. 2026
-
After his partners had been gone a few minutes, the big gray wolf openly ran to within 100 yards of the caribou, sat down in plain sight, and started to howl.—
Frank Glaser,
Outdoor Life,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One minute later, Pedro Neto was yellow-carded for moaning.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 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
-
Her daughter raced home crying and her parents promptly reported the incident to Sacramento police that night.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Mamoudou, what is the secret to good fake crying?—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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