groan

verb

ˈgrōn 

groaned; groaning; groans

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance

groaned when she saw the bill

2

: to make a harsh sound (as of creaking) under sudden or prolonged strain

The chair groaned under his weight.

transitive verb

: to utter or express with groaning

groaned their despair

groan noun

Synonyms

• moan
• wail

Examples of groan in a Sentence

The wounded man groaned in pain.

She groaned when she saw the bill.

“Oh, no,” she groaned, “I'm going to have to start all over.”

She groaned that she would have to start all over.

Merchants are groaning over slow holiday sales.

He's always moaning and groaning about his salary.

The chair groaned under his weight.

Recent Examples on the Web

On sports talk shows and social media, commentators, fans and players alike groaned about the voter. —Becky Sullivan, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025

Thirty minutes later, the Sun reported, medics still had not tended to a distraught woman half-buried by the shattered stands, groaning, with both legs apparently broken. —Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 21 Jan. 2025

Her mother groaned nervously as the side door slid open and a platform descended. —Nnedi Okorafor, WIRED, 14 Jan. 2025

Nearby, the frozen lake groaned and popped in the sub-zero air. —Al Wolter, Outdoor Life, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gronen, from Old English grānian; akin to Old High German grīnan to growl

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

groan

verb

ˈgrōn 

1

: to utter a deep moan of pain, grief, or irritation

2

: to make a harsh sound under strain

the chair groaned under my weight

groan noun

groaner noun