Synonyms of wails

wails 1 of 2

noun

plural of wail

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

• tears
• cries
• lamentations
• groans
• howls
• moans
• laments
• mournings
• plaints
• sobs
• keens
• sufferings
• regrets
• protests
• outcries
• sorrows
• heartaches
• anguishes
• heartbreaks
• woes
• griefs
• complaints
• dolors
• hand-wringings
• cris de coeur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoicings
• exultations

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

• groans
• moans
• whimpers
• shrieks
• cries
• whines
• whinings
• lamentations
• yelps
• howls
• laments
• plaints
• yowls
• bawls
• squalls
• keens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• giggles
• laughs
• chuckles
• guffaws
• snickers
• titters
• cackles
• chortles
• sniggers
• twitters

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

• whines
• moans
• complaints
• laments
• whimpers
• grievances
• fusses
• bitches
• grumbles
• squawks
• bleats
• murmurs
• gripes
• hollers
• plaints
• whinges
• yammers
• carps
• beefs
• protests
• grouses
• objections
• grouches
• kvetches
• misereres
• expostulations
• remonstrances
• stinks
• challenges
• quibbles
• demurs
• kicks
• niggles

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• compliments
• plaudits
• praises
• commendations
• acclaim
• sanctions
• indorsements
• approvals
• applauses
• endorsements

wails

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wail

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

• complains
• screams
• whines
• moans
• mutters
• growls
• whimpers
• squeals
• cries
• grumbles
• squawks
• caterwauls
• yowls
• murmurs
• worries
• hollers
• kicks
• yammers
• bleats
• kvetches
• grouses
• inveighs
• bellyaches
• whinges
• nags
• keens
• bitches
• gripes
• grizzles
• kicks up a fuss
• croaks
• grumps
• beefs
• grouches
• yawps
• repines
• fusses
• protests
• crabs
• carps
• sobs
• yaups
• kicks up a stink
• maunders
• objects (to)
• laments
• quarrels (with)
• blubbers
• bewails
• cavils
• quibbles
• frets
• bemoans
• stews
• deplores

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rejoices
• delights
• accepts
• endures
• takes
• bears
• tolerates
• cheers
• crows
• applauds
• commends
• countenances

2

as in howls

to make a long loud mournful sound

the women stood beside the coffins, wailing for their fallen sons and daughters

Synonyms & Similar Words

• howls
• shrieks
• screams
• yells
• yowls
• squeals
• keens
• screeches
• shrills
• yelps
• ululates
• bays
• bawls
• caterwauls
• squalls
• yawps
• yaups

3

as in moans

to utter a moan

the patient lay in her bed, occasionally softly wailing in pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• groans
• moans
• cries
• sobs
• whimpers
• whines
• shrieks
• weeps
• howls
• yelps
• sniffs
• laments
• bewails
• blubbers
• grieves
• bemoans
• snivels
• rues
• deplores
• mourns
• sorrows
• bawls
• agonizes
• hurts
• suffers
• keens
• yowls
• yammers
• anguishes
• bleeds
• squalls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• laughs
• giggles
• chuckles
• cackles
• chortles
• guffaws
• snickers
• cracks up
• titters
• twitters