moan 1 of 2

noun

ˈmōn How to pronounce moan (audio)
Definition of moannext
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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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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moan

2 of 2

verb

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 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 moan
Noun
The Al Ittihad manager, former France player and manager Laurent Blanc, said nice things about Al Nassr but also had a gentle moan about having to shut up shop for a month while Saudi Arabia tries to win its first Arabian Gulf Cup for 20 years. — Matt Slater, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024 Naturally, Sally’s moans capture everyone’s attention. — Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
There was so much pre- match negativity and expecting Arsenal to turn us over and moaning about the transfer window as if the club didn’t want to buy players. — Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 6 Feb. 2025 First, a woman near the forge will be moaning about the blacksmith. — Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for moan
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moan
  1. wail
  2. whine
  3. groan
  4. complain
  5. cry
  6. complaint
  7. scream
  8. lamentation
Noun
  • Those harsh, swelling wails of warning become the film’s punctuating sonic motif — in stark contrast to the buoyant, babbling vocal interjections of Alexey Shmurak’s unexpected a cappella score, a literal chorus of humanity amid the chaos.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Peart also became the band’s primary lyricist, and Lee delivering Peart’s dense and philosophical lyrics with a high, piercing wail became a defining characteristic of Rush’s sound.
    — Al Shipley, SPIN, 12 Feb. 2025
Definition of wail
Noun
  • Fritz revved the engine, a desperate, needling whine, and the vessel lurched down the airstrip, the chute billowing awake behind him.
    — Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025
  • Families fall asleep to the thump of nearby airstrikes and the constant whine of an Israeli drone overhead.
    — Raf Sanchez, NBC News, 25 Dec. 2024
Definition of whine
Verb
  • While my situation may have been particularly dire, my friends are all constantly groaning about their lingerie too.
    — Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
  • 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
Definition of groan
Verb
  • Fix Problems Many of us like to complain about broken systems, inefficient processes, or other things that annoy us at work.
    — Joseph Liu, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Appeals court rules Trump can implement anti-DEI executive orders for now In address about vision for DOJ, Trump complains about prior probes In: Joe Biden Donald Trump January 6 Melissa Quinn Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Our noise for some seconds passed beyond excitement into a kind of immense open anguish, a wailing, a cry to be saved.
    — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Many of these companies only started complaining after GameStop made short squeezes a rallying cry—when blaming short sellers suddenly garnered an audience.
    — Brandon Kochkodin, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of cry
Noun
  • Myers told The Ranch Podcast that the decision to remove the poster wasn’t in response to any complaint.
    — Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 19 Mar. 2025
  • According to the complaint, Henley organized a birthday party at Deja Vu for himself in December 2021.
    — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of complaint
Verb
  • Every frequent flier has been there: the seat that doesn’t tilt back, the screaming kids, the sprint between terminals for the connecting flight, and relief at baggage claim that your luggage actually made it.
    — Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025
  • And of course, 102 acres on the Pacific Ocean just screams location, location, ad infinitum.
    — David Weiss, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of scream
Noun
  • History is littered with lamentations about distraction.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
  • There have been lamentations about the end of an era and anxiety in the fan and creative communities about the risk of over-exploitation of the British super-spy.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of lamentation

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Cite this Entry

“Moan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moan. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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