groan

verb

groaned; groaning; groans

intransitive verb

1
: to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance
groaned when she saw the bill
2
: to make a harsh sound (as of creaking) under sudden or prolonged strain
The chair groaned under his weight.

transitive verb

: to utter or express with groaning
groaned their despair
groan noun

Examples of groan in a Sentence

The wounded man groaned in pain. She groaned when she saw the bill. “Oh, no,” she groaned, “I'm going to have to start all over.” She groaned that she would have to start all over. Merchants are groaning over slow holiday sales. He's always moaning and groaning about his salary. The chair groaned under his weight.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Tables groaned with treats: plates of seafood, bowls of Greek salad, tubs of plump olives. Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025 The auteur’s new ensemble film practically groans under the weight of A-list headliners such as Benicio Del Toro, Benedict Cumberbatch, Riz Ahmed, Jeffrey Wright and Tom Hanks. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 May 2025 O'Brien said, amid laughter and groaning from the audience. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Both, however, are outside, in the 17 and 18 posts, the crowd audibly groaning when their positions were announced. Dana O'Neil, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for groan

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gronen, from Old English grānian; akin to Old High German grīnan to growl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of groan was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Groan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groan. Accessed 18 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

groan

verb
1
: to utter a deep moan of pain, grief, or irritation
2
: to make a harsh sound under strain
the chair groaned under my weight
groan noun
groaner noun

More from Merriam-Webster on groan

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