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
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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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wail
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Mark and Helly, drawn to the wails of what sounds like an infant, open a door inside the Lumon complex and discover an all-white room with baby goats frolicking on bales of hay and one being bottle-fed by a man in a suit.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, outie Gemma wails outside the door, begging Mark to return to her.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Sunday, June 8, 2025 Lake Como, Italy THE PARTY AT THE VILLA
A single chilling wail erupts from the grand ballroom on Palazzo Mella’s ground floor, cutting through the whir of the choppers above.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Mark and Helly, drawn to the wails of what sounds like an infant, open a door inside the Lumon complex and discover an all-white room with baby goats frolicking on bales of hay and one being bottle-fed by a man in a suit.
—Jen Chaney, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
Meanwhile, outie Gemma wails outside the door, begging Mark to return to her.
—Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
-
According to Desai, during the procedure the volunteer let out a cry of pain, but when questioned about it later the volunteer had no memory.—
Ella Jeffries,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 Apr. 2025
-
As a result, a cacophony of cries to turn off the mics and burn the audio mixers is rising.—
Essence,
Essence,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The motor produces a whine that is noticeable but not distracting.—
William Roberson,
Forbes,
17 Mar. 2025
-
Israel Hernandez heard the faint whine of sirens outside his Wilmington apartment and looked up just in time to see a minivan crash into another vehicle as police gave chase.—
Libor Jany,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Pundits complained last year’s Cannes was a light affair, but that had to do with the bottleneck created by the strikes, for one.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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While speaking at a dinner hosted by the National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday, Trump complained over how the U.S. doesn’t manufacturer its own pharmaceuticals stating that tariffs on these products would be forthcoming.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But with the wind howling in Tuesday at Rate Field, left fielder Andrew Benintendi drifted over and made the catch.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Immortalized in Game of Thrones and on the crest of House Stark, the dire wolf is walking the Earth again and even howling after going extinct nearly 10,000 years ago.—
Degen Pener,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Both fell to the floor — Delaney groaning in ecstasy, Williams screaming in agony.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2025
-
My assumption is that most rational human beings would happily stay in a warm and cozy office and simply listen to the building creak and groan under the force of the violent gusts.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And there, like an old friend, is Cronenberg’s regular composer Howard Shore with a synth moan to keep the mood unnerving.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
The audience thought his moans were all part of the act.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Prominent among these are baseless critiques of the NAEP itself (lauded as the gold standard of achievement measures) and a lament that the science of reading — recently endorsed by more than 40 states — has failed.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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In classical terms, this begins as an Adagio in D minor — a slow lament led by a solo cello, that accelerates into a chaotic swell of strings.—
Kristen S. Hé,
Vulture,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Polley’s Polley ends up (understandably) screaming in frustration when Matt pratfalls his way into the shot, a tantrum the indie director could hardly relate to as someone known for facilitating calm, peaceful productions on intimate character studies.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2025
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Footage shared on social media has shown moviegoers screaming, tossing buckets of popcorn in the air and enthusiastically applauding.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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