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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of wail
Molly Fitzpatrick, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2024
Stripped of any glossy trappings, the ballad escalated into a potent roots rocker, with Mendes uncorking his voice into a wail and quickly de-escalating to a near-whisper.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
Joe Lynch, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2024
One of those sirens began to wail recently as a 28-year-old singer, Diana Oganesyan, was walking late at night in the capital Kyiv.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wail 
Noun
Someone — a man? — straight-up wails like a professional mourner.
—Molly Fitzpatrick, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2024
Stripped of any glossy trappings, the ballad escalated into a potent roots rocker, with Mendes uncorking his voice into a wail and quickly de-escalating to a near-whisper.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 12 Sep. 2024
Verb
Plus, Watt & Smith Steakhouse gives the former – who can wail like Roger Daltrey, sneer like David Bowie and growl like Gregg Allman – a chance to step out from behind the boards and up to the mic.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 20 Sep. 2024
One of those sirens began to wail recently as a 28-year-old singer, Diana Oganesyan, was walking late at night in the capital Kyiv.
—Greg Myre, NPR, 4 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for wail
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wail
Noun
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All last offseason, the cries that the Dodgers were buying a World Series championship rang out.Tony Blengino, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
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Republicans have previously tried to invoke sympathy for animals as a rallying cry against the government, spreading the false story that Haitian immigrants in Ohio eat dogs and cats.Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
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Reports of this plan were toasted by professional cynics with a similar whine.Bob Raissman, New York Daily News, 10 Aug. 2024
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Mamet is the series’ comic highlight, ping-ponging between tantrums, whines and sickly-sweet pleas with the volatility of an overgrown toddler; Jackson’s Misia receives these outbursts with an obeisance that is eventually pushed to the point of breaking.Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2024
Verb
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Auto dealers who sell its products have complained that high prices have left inventories piling up.Melvin Backman, Quartz, 7 Nov. 2024
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The late-night show cut to footage of Trump speaking at his rallies in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania on Friday and Saturday, respectively, and complaining about people like Rep. Adam Schiff.Michaela Zee, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
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People's hearts broke hearing the dog howling for his owners.Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024
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The clip opens on a dark and spooky night, complete with a full moon, howling wolves and a steady rain falling on a haunted mansion.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
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My muscles groaned against the weight of the skin around them, aching to be set loose.Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024
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Harris searches his pockets – as McAlpin groans – dumping out his earbuds, keys and loose change.Emily Palmer, People.com, 17 Oct. 2024
Noun
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In that study, both sexes reported their symptoms equally and exhibited the same amount of moans and complaints.Michael Franco, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2024
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As diners dip into the salty pat of butter before them, the room goes silent save for an occasional moan.The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 21 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Murphy, in one notable section, laments, Tourism is intrinsically incompatible with travelling.Tyler Thier, JSTOR Daily, 21 Oct. 2024
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But where Knight of Cups often drifts along in a generalized fog of melancholy, Blanchett actually makes the film’s lament for shattered relationships and thwarted potential actually hurt.Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024
Verb
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When Jonathan swam out to the dinghy, Nicky screamed no.Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
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He was allowed to be on that train and even to scream.Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Wail.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wail. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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