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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wails
Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.
—Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Mitchell has made the point before that every new technology brings wails that the fish won’t survive.
—Mike McFeely, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 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
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Anna wails, determined to separate the pair at any cost and not lacking in support from the others.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
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
The Ferrari hybrid, for its part, still wails like a La Scala tenor to an emotional, 8,000-rpm peak.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2022
Noun
Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away.
—Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.
—Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Mitchell has made the point before that every new technology brings wails that the fish won’t survive.
—Mike McFeely, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2026
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
Maybe the wails and crushed dreams of American travelers will finally melt their hearts.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 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
At times, the noise of grinding gears can obscure the soprano whoops and wails of the preschoolers.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Another voice wails in the background.
—ABC News, 28 Feb. 2026
Anna wails, determined to separate the pair at any cost and not lacking in support from the others.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Feb. 2026
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
The Ferrari hybrid, for its part, still wails like a La Scala tenor to an emotional, 8,000-rpm peak.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Mar. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wails
Noun
-
As the credits rolled and the audience broke out into applause, lead Thatcher burst into tears as Refn paced back and forth, hyping up the crowd for the 7-minute ovation.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
18 May 2026
-
Throughout the day, friends and classmates gathered, wiping away tears, comforting each other and trying to process the sudden loss.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
When Tel received the ball in his own half a couple of minutes later and lost it carelessly, there were a few groans from the home fans.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
-
The groans that have become standard in home playoff games in recent years kicked in quickly.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Never says a word, never complains about it, right?—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
-
Anushka complains about the agreement that asks users to accept 97 pages of terms and conditions in 7-point font, but these guys don’t even see themselves as car manufacturers.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place.—
Scott Hocker,
TheWeek,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rallying cries were common before key games, particularly those where Everton’s top-flight status was on the line.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
Shaina Montiel says her mother stills cries thinking about her harrowing experience with hantavirus at age 5, which, according to the CDC, can have a fatality rate up to 38%, depending on the type of syndrome caused by it.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Saum Poorsaleh, complaints triggered the internal affairs investigation.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 May 2026
-
The massive data centers, warehouse-like buildings housing the computer servers and other infrastructure used to power AI, are at the center of steadily growing complaints from communities about energy bills, noise and environmental impacts.—
Sara Tenenbaum,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
With Chapman, the issue screams at you louder than the thumping, center field speakers in Chavez Ravine.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
15 May 2026
-
One morning in 2013, before the sun had risen, Hiba and Ibrahim heard gunshots and screams.—
Annie Hylton,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wails.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wails. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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