to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness, to complain loudly and bitterly

wail of sirens, wail and gnash one's teeth, wail away

Formal and Informal Expressions of wail

In different contexts, you can replace 'wail' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'lament, bewail' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'whine, moan' is a commonplace synonym.

wail: Explore its Definition & Usage

wail Definition

1to make a long, high cry, usually because of pain or sadness
2to complain loudly and bitterly

Using wail: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "wail" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The baby wailed all night.
Example
She wailed in agony when she heard the news.
Example
The fans wailed in disappointment when their team lost.
Example
He wailed about the injustice of it all.

wail Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for wail

Phrases with wail

wail of sirens
a loud, high-pitched sound made by emergency vehicle sirens
Example
The wail of sirens could be heard throughout the city.
wail and gnash one's teeth
to express extreme anger, frustration, or disappointment
Example
When he found out he didn't get the job, he wailed and gnashed his teeth in frustration.
wail away
to play music or sing with great energy and enthusiasm
Example
The band wailed away on their instruments all night long.

Origins of wail

from Old Norse 'væla', meaning 'to lament'

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Summary: wail in Brief

The verb 'wail' [weɪl] refers to making a long, high cry due to pain or sadness, or complaining loudly and bitterly. It can be used to describe both human and animal sounds, as well as expressing strong emotions like disappointment or frustration. Phrases like 'wail of sirens' and 'wail and gnash one's teeth' add specificity to the term, while 'wail away' implies playing music with great energy.