wailed

Definition of wailednext
past tense of wail
1
2
as in howled
to make a long loud mournful sound the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

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 wailed According to the post, the officer approached the gate, asked what was going on, and stood watching as the husky wailed. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 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 Israeli authorities focused on Iran, and citizens dashed repeatedly for shelter as sirens wailed. Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026 Air raid sirens wailed in Israel as multiple missiles targeted Tel Aviv and Jerusalem early Sunday. Greg Myre, NPR, 1 Mar. 2026 Sirens wailed across Israel to warn the public about possible incoming missile strikes. Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026 Around the country, sirens wailed and people received cellphone alerts as Iran launched retaliatory strikes, which the Israeli military says have been intercepted by their missile defense system. CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026 Their toddler, who was watching, went into her bedroom and wailed as her father penetrated her mother. S. C. Cornell, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026 Sirens wailed and gunshots rang out as the two men grappled for several seconds, before Ahmed wrenched the gun from the attacker’s hands. Laura Sharman, CNN Money, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wailed
Verb
  • Paez Terán's parents have complained that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has refused to give them answers about the events surrounding his death.
    Dan Raby, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2026
  • While famous guests, like tennis star Serena Williams, Chicago Sky WNBA player Angel Reese and actress Marlee Marlin, held events, many attendees complained about sparse decorations and limited events, and many on social media are calling the event a scam.
    Julia Gomez, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Soon a lone wolf howled behind us.
    Frank Glaser, Outdoor Life, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Much like the snowstorm outside Williams Arena, the winds howled in another direction with Hopkins getting to the hoop and scoring 17 of the final 20 points for a 32-28 lead at the break.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Critics moaned when the CFP committee picked the Hurricanes over Notre Dame as the last Power 4 entry into the playoffs.
    Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2026
  • Strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance, the shooting victim moaned, then screamed.
    Lauren Caruba, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Lee screamed, running toward Knueppel and shaking a bottle of water over his head.
    Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Moore screamed, Torres, 19, remembered.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Though the ballot measure also didn’t say the state needed to provide all of that money at once, lawmakers were already bracing for a budget shortfall last year and groaned under the strain of finding any more funding.
    Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Everyone in the car groaned with disappointment.
    Marisa McMillan, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Never whined, even as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s play deteriorated last season.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 19 Mar. 2026
  • The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.
    Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Family members, wearing yellow with buttons that pictured Preston, sobbed throughout much of the hearing.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Haugh buried his head in the hardwood and sobbed.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As for one consistent complaint heard muttered amid bleary-eyed guests of the former Standard, Schrager confirms the appropriate adjustments have been made.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
  • But the other 3%, often muttered by students prospectively examining transfer applications, is distinct.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wailed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wailed. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

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