MOANS Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

moans 1 of 2

noun

plural of moan

as in groans

a long low sound indicating pain or grief she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach

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as in wails

a crying out in grief moans arose from the crowd as the funeral procession for the well-loved senator made its way down the street

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as in whines

an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment the crowd responded with a moan when it was announced that the rest of the show would be cancelled due to the weather

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moans

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of moan

as in cries

to utter a moan he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died

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as in complains

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely their son moaned whenever anyone asked him to do some work

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of moans

Noun

In the decades after his death, Johnson’s loose playing and harrowing moans set American music on a path that would encompass Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, even Nas. — Steven Johnson, Washington Post, 14 July 2026 Sweet tweets, soft moans, the distant caw of a shore bird piloting toward the sea, spirited and hopeful, daylight already breaking through. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it. — Brody Miller, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026 Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s. — Ruby Rosenthal, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026 Most of these are held in a tent, from which loud, ecstatic moans can be heard for seemingly miles around. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 26 Aug. 2025 Deeper into Cardoso’s forest, brown howler monkeys fill the viscous air with their guttural moans. — Mark Johanson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2022

Verb

Endo is the sixth choice midfielder and someone who never moans about his place in the pecking order. — James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Musselwhite punctuated the music with his harmonica trills and moans while his right knee bounced in time with the rhythms. — Kevin McKeough, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026 As the video continues, one person can be heard yelling her name while the makeup artist moans in pain. — Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026 The Freight House building creaks and moans underfoot, and passing trains produce little more than a subtle hum. — Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026 Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026 Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road. — Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026 Fennell begins on a black screen and the sound of creaks and moans. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Shannon moans right about the time Jenn walks out to see what the commotion is all about. — Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moans

Noun

An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Not long afterward, witnesses heard groans and heavy breathing as the spiritual adviser put her hands on his shoulders and prayed over him.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of groans

Noun

Memory tends to lose sound quickly, but even years later, Jake’s mother’s wails play with the same staccatos and double chords.

— Caroline Cherston, STAT, 25 Aug. 2026
Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of wails

Noun

Park officials, meanwhile, have long fielded scores of complaints about other head and neck injuries sustained after riding the attraction, according to internal records cited by an expert witness for a plaintiff in court filings.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Mexican diplomats have filed complaints with the Justice Department, eight attorneys general and 12 district attorneys.

— Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of complaints

Verb

Shannon basically complains so much that Jenn, a sweet baby angel straight from a Hallmark Christmas movie, offers to change rooms with her.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
The private sector complains that there are jobs but that Indians aren’t skilled enough to be hired.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of complains

Noun

At the hospital in Dollow, mothers sat shoulder to shoulder on narrow beds holding frail children, some too weak to cry while others let out soft whimpers.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026
Earlier this month, a Gardena police officer responded to a report that there were whimpers and cries coming from a self-compacting trash can outside a church.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026

Definition of whimpers

Verb

Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
When Cantu reaches towards Lopez and screams his wife’s name, a shot rings out and Lopez falls slightly off camera.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of screams

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“Moans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moans. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of moans

noun

verb

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