1
as in wails
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
2
as in moans
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
as in cries
to utter a moan
heard someone groaning in pain
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of groans
Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Kimmel’s joke was met with an almost even number of laughs and groans, but little did anyone know that two days later at the actual WHCD there would be a shooting that derailed the entire night.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Two innings later, those groans developed into a cacophony of boos as the Twins pieced together a two-run winning rally.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The trailer had plenty of groans, gasps and even a few tears as Knoxville and the crew put their bodies on the line to say goodbye.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
When Latino residents asked questions and voiced concerns, they were interrupted by jeers and groans from white members of the audience.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
After a clunky moment of audience groans and O’Brien trying to keep a straight face, the camera moved back to the winners.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Alas, those rooting for niche history in the desert soon traded their prospective cheers for the visceral groans.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
For nearly two minutes in Monday’s 132-107 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Chicago Bulls played basketball to a soundtrack of gasps and groans.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Simmons became a star when groans were the franchise soundtrack.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026
Kimmel’s joke was met with an almost even number of laughs and groans, but little did anyone know that two days later at the actual WHCD there would be a shooting that derailed the entire night.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026
Two innings later, those groans developed into a cacophony of boos as the Twins pieced together a two-run winning rally.
—Dan Hayes, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2026
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
The trailer had plenty of groans, gasps and even a few tears as Knoxville and the crew put their bodies on the line to say goodbye.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026
When Latino residents asked questions and voiced concerns, they were interrupted by jeers and groans from white members of the audience.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
After a clunky moment of audience groans and O’Brien trying to keep a straight face, the camera moved back to the winners.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 Mar. 2026
Alas, those rooting for niche history in the desert soon traded their prospective cheers for the visceral groans.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
McKellen can make a terrific meal out of just a few grunts and groans, spending whole scenes mumbling about nothing in particular; meanwhile, Coel comes across as impenetrable, yet alluringly so.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
For nearly two minutes in Monday’s 132-107 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Chicago Bulls played basketball to a soundtrack of gasps and groans.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
The onslaught of bad news elicited howling in Canada, groans in Atlanta and frenetic Googling to determine just what, exactly, is the hamate bone.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2026
At the same time, the catalogue groans under the weight of all the local talent working at the cutting edge of the form.
—Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
Arthur groans, but there is affection in his protest.
—Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for groans
Noun
-
Mitchell has made the point before that every new technology brings wails that the fish won’t survive.—
Mike McFeely,
Twin Cities,
24 Apr. 2026
-
There was grit and grime to his feedback-heavy guitar wails, but there was sweep and grandeur too, more apparent on stage than on record.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The moans announced the doubt throughout Riviera’s 18th green amphitheater, a bowl full of thousands of fans unsure if the new guy could do it.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
At the moment that B’Tselem says Hathaleen collapsed, the visuals are jostled but moans of pain can be heard.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
McEntire, Stefani and Legend were brought to tears by Carter's emotional performance.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Tatum also knows the value of peer support after leaning on players like Tyrese Haliburton, Damian Lillard and Dejounte Murray — all of whom suffered Achilles tears last season — during his recovery.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
After football killed 19 college players in 1905, Roosevelt resisted cries to outlaw the game and supported rule changes.—
Steve Doerschuk,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That, of course, and the occasional ghostly presences, unsettling cries, and blood dripping from the ceiling.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
These rock lamentations will not be carried over to the full-length album the band still has in the works, which Bono promises will have a more joyful tone.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Such prices have set off howls of protest from some fans.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
-
My 2-year-old daughter’s howls of protest echoed through the previously silent forest of towering Norway spruce.—
Tribune News Service,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The sinew between Thundercat and Tame Impala is thick and obvious—one reason that Bruner doesn’t need ubiquitous Kevin Parker’s lethargic laments.—
Daniel Felsenthal,
Pitchfork,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The legislation behind this flurry of warnings and laments is Assembly Bill 1207, which emerged from backroom negotiations last September.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Groans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/groans. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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