wail
19
3.2
- noun
- /weɪl/
- A coyote cried from the cliff, a distant forlorn wail that echoed back from the canyon wall.
Examples
-
I stayed long enough to hear one long, anguished female wail, the call of someone in genuine despair.
Fiction book (1990) -
Soon, there was much wailing in the room, and then all over the house.
Fiction book (1990) -
Kennedy heard the wail of the crowd and recognized it as grief and not triumph.
Fiction book (1990) -
A shattering crash and an inhuman wail brought Haplo's heart to his mouth.
Fiction book (1991) -
Sita returned to semiconsciousness and emitted a high-pitched wail, which announced the ghost's presence and readiness to talk.
Academic text (1990) -
Drifting in and out of consciousness, Bethany listened to the siren's shrill wail and longed deeply for her mother.
Academic text (2011) -
During the ceremony, a loud wail erupted from the crowd as they mourned their loss.
-
The child let out a heart-rending wail when he lost his favorite toy.
-
At the wake, the traditional wail of the mourners filled the air with sorrow.
Synonyms
157
1.0
A loud call that an animal or person makes
130
1.9
A very loud high, piercing noise that hurts the ears
119
1.0
Tears and sounds you make when you feel sad or hurt
18
3.3
A very loud high sound that hurts your ears
18
1.4
A time when someone cries with tears and sobs
16
1.0
Short gasping sounds someone makes while crying loudly
15
6.1
A sad song, poem, or cry that shows grief
12
3.0
A loud, very high sound like a scream made by a person or animal
11
3.5
Loud long cries made when someone feels deep pain or sadness
11
4.1
A long loud cry that shows strong feeling
6
7.7
A strong feeling of sadness that people show by crying
2
3.5
Loud, noisy crying when someone is very upset
2
8.6
A long high sad cry people make for someone who died
1
9.9
A long high sound a baby or child makes when upset
1
9.9
A sad cry or song that shows sadness
1
9.6
A loud high pitched crying sound made by a cat
A very loud, high cry that sounds like someone in great fear or pain
Antonyms
Compounds
How Loud
19
3.2
157
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
Wail as a noun comes from the same sound-copying idea, where the word itself names the long, sorrowful cry. A wail is 'a prolonged, loud cry expressing pain, grief, or sorrow'.