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View synonyms for moan

moan

[ mohn ]

noun

    1. a prolonged, low sound uttered from physical or mental suffering.
    2. a prolonged, low sound uttered from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.
  1. any prolonged, low sound:

    The alarming moan of the engines suggested they'd break down soon.

  2. complaint or lamentation:

    Despite last year's moan about how much effort Christmas is, I'm feeling up to it this year.



verb (used without object)

    1. to make a prolonged, low sound from physical or mental suffering.
    2. to make a prolonged, low sound from any other strong physical or mental sensation, especially pleasure.

    Synonyms: mourn, grieve

  1. (of inanimate objects) to make a prolonged, low sound:

    The wind moaned through the trees.

  2. to complain:

    I may moan about the weather here, but at least it doesn't get hot.

verb (used with object)

  1. to utter (something) inarticulately or pitifully:

    He moaned his response.

  2. to lament or express grief over; bemoan:

    It does no good to moan your position in life instead of taking action.

    Synonyms: deplore, mourn

moan

/ məʊn /

noun

  1. a low prolonged mournful sound expressive of suffering or pleading
  2. any similar mournful sound, esp that made by the wind
  3. a grumble or complaint


verb

  1. to utter (words) in a low mournful manner
  2. intr to make a sound like a moan
  3. usually intr to grumble or complain (esp in the phrase moan and groan )

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Derived Forms

  • ˈmoaningly, adverb
  • ˈmoaner, noun
  • ˈmoaning, nounadjective
  • ˈmoanful, adjective

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Other Words From

  • moan·ful adjective
  • moan·ful·ly adverb
  • moan·ing·ly adverb
  • un·moaned adjective
  • un·moan·ing adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of moan1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English mone, man(e) (noun), Old English mān, unrecorded but inferred from its derivative mǣnan “to mourn”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of moan1

C13: related to Old English mǣnan to grieve over

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Synonym Study

See groan.

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Example Sentences

Students moan and growl and shriek and yawp, as if exorcising demons in a ritualistic ceremony.

“I always find it weird when actors moan about things like this,” he says.

As much as customers love to moan about small, uncomfortable seats, the demand for them is higher than ever.

And the best his Republican opponents can do is moan about Benghazi.

But, generally speaking, businesses scream and moan, react and innovate, and wind up in a better place.

The gnarled hands shut up into clenched fists, and the feeble voice trailed off in an agonized moan.

The old owl no longer hooted, and the water-oaks had ceased to moan as they bent their heads.

Then a moan, then a howl and a shriek arose which reached from group to group, from house to house, from square to forest.

With a low moan her head sunk upon the old man's knee, and she shook and trembled with violent emotion.

"I refuse," she answered, her arms falling, her voice a low moan of the most utter despair.

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