GROAN Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

groan 1 of 2

noun

Definition of groan

as in wail

a crying out in grief when the underdogs lost the playoffs, the groans of millions of disappointed fans were heard throughout the land

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in moan

a long low sound indicating pain or grief let out a groan when he tried to stand on the sprained ankle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

groan

2 of 2

verb

ˈgrōn

as in to moan

to utter a moan heard someone groaning in pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 groan

Noun

After two hours of practice, with the 10-foot-tall fences doing little to muffle the bullhorn orders and corresponding groans, the huddle broke and the personalities sprung to life. — Noah White, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026 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

Verb

The ice groaned and heaved, fracturing as if the river itself had come back to life. — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026 Many fans would likely groan about Volpe returning to the big leagues at any point this year, but the Yankees haven’t ruled it out. — Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for groan

Recent Examples of Synonyms for groan

Noun

When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
Feverish with feeling, the women scream, wail and sob, each one experiencing her misery multiply in real time as the remaining two look on in disdain.

— Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of wail

Noun

On the recording of the 911 call from that day, the operator’s steady voice is in sharp contrast to Nakira’s frantic crying.

— Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026
After the agents released him, the student walked to school, crying and in pain.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of crying

Noun

As much an acknowledgment of survival as a rallying cry, the song draws out sadness as well as satisfaction from the audience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Her friend’s cries mixed with the sound of police car sirens before officers arrived and escorted students and staff out the building.

— Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of cry

Noun

Ḥusayn’s death became for the Shiʿah a symbol of selfless resistance against worldly injustice and tyranny and is commemorated with lamentation each year on Ashura.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 July 2026
Moments of humor sit alongside lamentation and ritual intensity, underscoring the exhibition’s refusal of a single, fixed reading.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026

Definition of lamentation

Noun

When the sun goes down, the wind picks up in central New Mexico, whipping through arid canyons with a ghostly howl that for centuries, locals have likened to the wails of the folkloric ghost La Llorona.

— Sara Herschander, Vox, 22 Oct. 2026
The second slide was a video (without sound) of the couple’s first kiss, which King prefaced with what looked like a howl of joy, followed by a series of passionate kisses and an arms-in-the-air yelp from the groom.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of howl

Noun

The child studying English was met with loving lament, while the one pursuing computer science at Stanford University was the flag post of family pride.

— Kamau Bobb October 21, Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026
Prompted by Nan’s lament about their father’s empty casket and his own desire for posthumous reconciliation, Jay sets out to find his dad’s underwater remains near the edge of the canyon at Monastery Beach.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of lament

Browse Nearby Words

grizzling

groan

groaned

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Style

“Groan.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groan. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of groan

noun

verb

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