1
as in groan
a long low sound indicating pain or grief
she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in wail
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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3
as in whine
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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1
as in to groan
to utter a moan
he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died
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2
as in to complain
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
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Recent Examples of moan
Michael Cox, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
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
Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024
There also isn't a dry forehead in the studio, as the tough session has left them all moaning and groaning.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for moan 
Noun
That overrides the crowd reaction to many on-pitch incidents — there are fewer audible moans when a foul is committed, fewer jeers when there’s an opposition shot way off target, and sometimes less of a silence when a goal is conceded.
—Michael Cox, The Athletic, 28 Aug. 2024
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
Verb
Watson missed out on an additional $40,000 in the bonus round, prompting him to moan in dejection.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024
There also isn't a dry forehead in the studio, as the tough session has left them all moaning and groaning.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for moan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moan
Noun
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The anthems, with all of their staid pomp and circumstance, were replaced by the faint wail of a synthesizer.—
Pablo Maurer,
The Athletic,
6 July 2024
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There is almost no question that doesn’t earn a wail or a hoot.—
Stephen Galloway,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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The ragged metallic roaring scream of a Boeing 727 ascending eastward, a high-pitched whine building to a thundering roar, fading to a drone.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 Jan. 2025
-
When in use, the motor produced a slightly audible whistle/whine.—
John Timmer,
Ars Technica,
4 Apr. 2024
Verb
-
On sports talk shows and social media, commentators, fans and players alike groaned about the voter.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
22 Jan. 2025
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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
Verb
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Trump has complained about China’s rising influence over the canal.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
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Some consumers have also complained that bulk billing arrangements can burden them with a single, subpar internet service that costs more.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The book itself is a rallying cry to parents, especially fathers, encouraging them to adopt a warrior's mindset to help their children with special needs reach their full potential.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA TODAY,
31 Jan. 2025
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The cast and crew get so much information from when the audience laughs, cries or applauds.—
Jeffrey R. Wilson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Two spa businesses in Baltimore told the Banner that Tucker had been banned immediately after complaints were lodged against him.—
Doha Madani,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2025
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Last week, the nonprofit watchdog group the Housing Rights Initiative filed 176 complaints against Chicago landlords for discrimination in the largest housing case in Illinois history.—
Willie Wilson,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Read Next National Deputies rush to save screaming kids trapped outside burning Colorado home.—
Daniella Segura,
Sacramento Bee,
29 Jan. 2025
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While being average maybe does not quite scream iconic Survivor player at full volume, perhaps that is exactly the point.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The van pulled into the street, and the crowd followed, muttering lamentations.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
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This is a bleak model for those in lamentation over our current moment.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near moan
Cite this Entry
“Moan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moan. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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