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
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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
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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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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wail
Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 8 June 2025
Thousands of cell phone lights and ear-piercing wails accompanied it.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Josh Feldman, NBC news, 8 July 2025
More than a dozen police cars, sirens wailing, were on its tail.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Noun
Jhon Wilson Vizcaino / AP Another video showed three men cradling a bloodied and limp Uribe, before an ambulance arrived to the sound of wails and screams from the crowd.
—Matteo Moschella, NBC news, 8 June 2025
Thousands of cell phone lights and ear-piercing wails accompanied it.
—Kirsten Fiscus, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Verb
Downriver in the town of Comfort, a flash flood alert for Kendall County came at 7:24 a.m. Friday — and a wailing siren urging residents to flee provided a last-minute alarm for anyone who hadn’t responded to previous warnings.
—Josh Feldman, NBC news, 8 July 2025
More than a dozen police cars, sirens wailing, were on its tail.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
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And yet, despite serving as a rallying cry among Democrats nationally, this gambit by Texas Democrats is going to fail if history is to be a guide.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
-
Melancholic nylon guitars, murmuring bongos, and the distant cry of a trumpet create a vibe that sounds timeless — the magic is undeniable.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Moscow’s escalating air war and the distinctive whine of Shaheds is now forcing Ukrainians out of their beds and into shelters and metro stations on an almost-nightly basis.—
Clare Sebastian,
CNN Money,
25 July 2025
-
That is, until you are subjected to the relentless whine of mosquitoes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Consumers have complained that stores feel less distinctive, private labels have multiplied to the point of confusion, and online shopping options lag those of competitors.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
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Indeed, many Republican lawmakers — including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune — have complained of crime in D.C. and embraced Trump's efforts to address it.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
20 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Lakshmi also included a video of her and her dog, Divina, playfully howling for the camera.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
4 Aug. 2025
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Axel Hunnicutt stood by the side of a dusty dirt road in California’s high country rangeland and howled like a wolf.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In a world where shoppers regularly groan about the banality of modern-day shopping, Stitch Fix sought to be the panacea by offering accessible personal stylists that could design and ship outfits specific to a customer’s unique needs and preferences.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
11 Aug. 2025
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The Mountain Goats are a vehicle for the slow groaning expressions of dark, deadpan vocalist John Darnielle.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
3 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Brandon swings his head up and to the left, a moan escaping his lips.—
Scott Craven,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
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Out comes another moan, this one closer to a laugh as Brandon’s face flashes a smile.—
Scott Craven,
AZCentral.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Film studios execs across Hollywood lament how comedies have become an endangered species in the streaming age.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
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Estate agents lament, tabloids predict doom for the tax base, and everyone seems certain that London’s days as a center of commerce are numbered.—
Andrew Leahey,
Forbes.com,
20 July 2025
Verb
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There's just a million things available and everything's screaming at you.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Noem screams, before spotting a service dog in the crowd and shooting it.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.
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