groan

groan

verb \ˈgrōn\

Definition of GROAN

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance

2

: to make a harsh sound (as of creaking) under sudden or prolonged strain

transitive verb

: to utter or express with groaning

— groan noun

Examples of GROAN

1. The wounded man groaned in pain.
2. She groaned when she saw the bill.
3. “Oh, no,” she groaned, “I'm going to have to start all over.”
4. She groaned that she would have to start all over.
5. Merchants are groaning over slow holiday sales.
6. He's always moaning and groaning about his salary.
7. The chair groaned under his weight.

Origin of GROAN

Middle English gronen, from Old English grānian; akin to Old High German grīnan to growl

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GROAN

Synonyms: moan, wail

Related Words: 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 Antonyms: cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, guffaw, laugh, snicker, titter, twitter

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Rhymes with GROAN

blown, bone, clone, cone, crone, drone, flown, grown, hone, known, loan, lone, moan, Mon, none, own, phone, pone, prone, Rhône, roan, Saône, scone, sone, stone, throne, tone, zone