Moan — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈmōn/

Meaning & Definition of Moan

Moan (noun)

  1. lamentation, complaint
  2. a low prolonged sound of pain or of grief

Moan (verb)

  1. to bewail audibly, lament
  2. to utter with moans
  3. lament, complain

Moan (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a long low sound indicating pain or grief

    "she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach"

    similar: groan, wail
    related: blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, bawl, cry, howl, shriek, squall, whimper, whine, yelp, yowl
    near: cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter

  2. 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"

    similar: groan, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, wail
    related: cry, sob, tears, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, weeping, hand-wringing, regret, complaint, cri de coeur, outcry, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, sorrow, woe
    opposite: exultation, rejoicing
    near: cheering, laughing, smiling

  3. 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"

    similar: beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, murmur, plaint, squawk, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer
    related: challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle (chiefly British), objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink
    near: commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction

Moan (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to utter a moan

    "he moaned and cried for days after his dog, his only companion, died"

    similar: groan, wail
    related: blubber, cry, sob, weep, sniff, snivel, whimper, whine, bemoan, bewail, deplore, keen, lament, rue, agonize, anguish, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, sorrow, suffer, bawl, howl, shriek, squall, yammer, yelp, yowl
    near: cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, titter, twitter

  2. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "their son moaned whenever anyone asked him to do some work"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder (chiefly British), murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge (British), yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Moan

The most common words with a similar meaning to Moan:

British: whinge
Chiefly British: maunder
groan, wail, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, beef, bitch, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, miserere, murmur, squawk, whimper, whine, yammer, bellyache, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, grizzle, growl, grump, inveigh, kick, mutter, nag, repine, scream

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Moan

Words with the opposite meaning of Moan:

exultation, rejoicing, crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Moan

blubbering, crying, sniveling, sobbing, weeping, whimpering, whining, yammering, bawl, cry, shriek, squall, yelp, sob, tears, agonizing, grieving, mourning, sorrowing, suffering, hand-wringing, regret, cri de coeur, outcry, protest, anguish, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak

Near Antonyms of Moan

cackle, chortle, chuckle, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, snigger, titter, twitter, cheering, laughing, smiling, commendation, compliment, plaudit, acclaim, applause, praise, approval, endorsement, sanction, crack up, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud

Word Forms of Moan

Inflections: moaned, moaning, moans

Derived words: moaner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Moan

Middle English mone, from Old English *mān

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Moan

have a moan, piss and moan

Frequently Asked Questions about Moan

What does "Moan" mean?

"Moan" means lamentation, complaint. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: lamentation, complaint. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Moan"?

Other words for "Moan" include groan, wail, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint and beef. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Moan" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Moan"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Moan". Common alternatives include groan, wail, howl, keen, lament, lamentation, plaint, beef, bitch and bleat.

What is the opposite of "Moan"?

Antonyms of "Moan" include exultation, rejoicing, crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include cackle, chortle, chuckle and giggle.

How do you use "Moan" in a sentence?

Examples of "Moan" in a sentence: "she uttered an agonized moan and clutched her stomach"; "moans arose from the crowd as the funeral procession for the well-loved senator made its way down the street"; "the crowd responded with a moan when it was announced that the rest of the show would be cancelled due to the weather".

Is "Moan" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Moan" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Moan"?

"Moan" is pronounced /ˈmōn/.

What is the origin of the word "Moan"?

"Moan" comes from Middle English mone, from Old English *mān. First known use: 13th century.