wail
11 synonyms and 1 antonym for wail, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
To cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow.
“She wailed uncontrollably at the funeral.”
Opposites
2. noun
A long, high-pitched cry of grief or distress.
“A wail of anguish echoed through the hospital corridor.”
How to use wail
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
wail in grief
siren wail
let out a wail
Etymology
From Old Norse "væla" (to wail), itself from a word meaning "woe" — tracing back to a very old Indo-European exclamation of grief.
Full origin of wail →Frequently asked questions
What does “wail” mean?
The word “wail” means to cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow. In plain terms, to cry loudly and mournfully, or the sound of that cry.
How do you pronounce “wail”?
“Wail” is pronounced wayl (/weɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “wail” in a sentence?
Here is “wail” used in a sentence: “She wailed uncontrollably at the funeral.”
What part of speech is “wail”?
Depending on how it is used, “wail” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “wail” come from?
The word “wail” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse "væla" (to wail), itself from a word meaning "woe" — tracing back to a very old Indo-European exclamation of grief.
How many meanings does “wail” have?
“Wail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to cry out loudly in grief, pain, or sorrow.
