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
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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
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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
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1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
the state's residents are always wailing about their high taxes
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
3
as in to groan
to utter a moan
the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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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
Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
In rage and disbelief, Gi-hun mourned the death of his friend and wailed with grief as masked soldiers apprehended him.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 26 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
Another video starts with the sounds of a woman wailing behind a truck in West L.A.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2025
In rage and disbelief, Gi-hun mourned the death of his friend and wailed with grief as masked soldiers apprehended him.
—Esther Kang, People.com, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
A bit more time can pass here, amidst the continuing cries of children swimming, as the great sun descends as low as possible to meet the mountain.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
Trump slapped additional tariffs on automobile parts, inciting cries of protest from American car companies.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 July 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
-
Up above, winds would have howled around the equator in strong gusts, and tiny ice crystals would have settled out of air that remained below freezing everywhere.—
Laura Poppick
July 22,
Literary Hub,
22 July 2025
-
Nearly half of the dogs, about 45 percent, consistently reacted to canine sounds such as barking or howling on TV.—
Jenny Lehmann,
Discover Magazine,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
While fans were not gathered outside Amalie Arena with pitchforks, there was much moaning, groaning and other expressions of disappointment when Steven Stamkos signed with Nashville upon the free agency window opening last summer.—
Tom Layberger,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
But Wednesday’s late-game collapse left Knicks fans groaning.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
22 May 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
-
Unfortunately, the Who’s separation with Starkey was the equivalent of peeling off a child’s Band-Aid very slowly while the kid screams, putting the Band-Aid back on, and then doing it all over again.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
28 July 2025
-
Julia Tate was headed to bed a few weeks ago when her daughter burst into their rowhouse screaming.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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