MOAN Synonyms: 146 Similar and Opposite Words

moan 1 of 2

noun

ˈmōn

Definition of moan

as in groan

a long low sound indicating pain or grief she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach

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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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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

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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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 child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan. — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 23 May 2026 Under Hiller, the Kings went into the Olympic break with a whimper and came out of it with a moan. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 1 Mar. 2026

Verb

Video released by the Milwaukie Police Department shows Descamps sprawled in a hospital bed, his body limp, moaning and drooling, while medical staff stood nearby. — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026 Swinging his hips, moaning into the mic and briefly getting promiscuous with a mic stand was the authenticity that the majority-millennial crowd expected. — Sophie Lindberg july 11, Kansas City Star, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for moan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for moan

Noun

When journalist Matthew Belloni broke the news of Paltrow’s upcoming dinner party last week in his Puck newsletter, a groan went up from some corners of the internet.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026
An underwhelming and nearly green-less teaser first dropped back in March to the enormous groans of Green Lantern faithful everywhere.

— Jeff Spry, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of groan

Verb

The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Undermining an alliance Coupang is not the first American company to complain of targeting by South Korean regulators.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of complain

Noun

The crying can become the dominant thing, and the acting is the crying as opposed to being able to convey a personality underneath all of that, being able to find the nuance of who this character is outside of the crying.

— Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Another video shows a man holding the crying infant, with his arms covered in blood and the lower half of his body still trapped in rubble.

— Duarte Dias, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of crying

Noun

The singer’s complaint seeks a jury trial and compensatory damages of over $75,000.

— Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026
When reached for comment on LeVota’s letter, which The Star obtained this week, Garza’s attorney Brianne Thomas called it an act of retaliation and provided a copy of Garza’s complaint to The Star.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of complaint

Verb

There's a 50% chance the drivers in this photo are screaming.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Baltimore is an even 69-69 after Cowser’s heroics, and though that record doesn’t usually scream postseason bound at this time of year, the American League hasn’t been as strong as years past.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of scream

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mizzly

moan

moaned

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Style

“Moan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moan. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of moan

noun

verb

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