1
as in tears
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 groans
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 whines
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 complains
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 moans
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
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 wails
Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Two sets of arms wrapped around me, more of his friends, holding me until my wails subsided.
—Kimberly Bridson, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Her wails make Davina recall her own confinement, where she was treated similarly awfully and responded by cursing the women in the room.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 5 Sep. 2025
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.
—Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025
Two sets of arms wrapped around me, more of his friends, holding me until my wails subsided.
—Kimberly Bridson, Vogue, 14 Aug. 2025
The leitmotif of unanswered doorbells, unacknowledged wails, and unsoothed whimpers punctuates the passivity of Epure’s surreal world.
—Olivia Bennett, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
As Electridad wails for justice, her brother Orestes spends his time in exile with Nino (Luis Medina), a move made by his late father in probable anticipation of his demise.
—Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wails
Noun
-
Click the video below to see a sweet brotherly reunion filled with the kind of hug that comes with happy tears and pure joy.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This test evaluates the quantity and quality of your tears to diagnose dry eye syndrome.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The request drew audible groans and shouts from other members.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The tightly wound tension is maintained also by Volker Bertelmann’s propulsive score, which starts with ominous juddering groans and keeps shapeshifting throughout.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
There has been a consistent pattern with Florida football where a group of Gators fans complains about the current head coach, sportswriters mock them for having unrealistic expectations, and then those fans turn out to be totally correct.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Roman complains about pain in his feet, and Dennis offers him a foot massage.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The screams, the reason everyone assembles, when the screams come, after a few collective inhales and exhales and a moment to gather one’s thoughts, the screams come like long guttural howls.—
Christopher Borrelli,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The dog's cries pierced people's hearts, and as of Thursday, the TikTok video reached over 278,000 views and 40,300 likes.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
All of the killings happened within 7 miles across two grazing allotments, and range riders and shepherds reported hearing wolf cries in the area on several occasions.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
26 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The Labour government has attempted to tame resentment by catering to the public’s most prominent complaints, particularly immigration.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Participating buyers agree to purchase produce from farms that adhere to the program’s stringent set of protections for workers, let workers be informed about their rights by the CIW and allow independent auditors to investigate complaints from their fields.—
Max Blau,
ProPublica,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than let his boy be torn apart by terrible creatures in the mist, David uses a gun to mercy-kill them all and screams in anguish because there isn't a bullet left for him.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Mom screams like a rabid animal.—
Dr. Sue Varma,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share