squawk

¹squawk

intransitive verb \ˈskwȯk\

Definition of SQUAWK

1

: to utter a harsh abrupt scream

2

: to complain or protest loudly or vehemently <opponents of the bill squawked>

— squawk·er noun

Examples of SQUAWK

1. The customers squawked about the high prices.
2. Opponents of the project have been squawking.

Origin of SQUAWK

probably blend of squall and squeak

First Known Use: 1821

Related to SQUAWK

Synonyms

beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, maunder [chiefly British], moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, complain, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer, yawp (or yaup), yowl

Antonyms

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words

object (to), protest, quarrel (with); cavil, quibble; fret, stew, worry; blubber, cry, sob; bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate; applaud, cheer, commend

Rhymes with SQUAWK

auk, balk, calk, caulk, chalk, gawk, hawk, Koch, Sauk, stalk, talk, walk

²squawk

noun

Definition of SQUAWK

1

: a harsh abrupt scream

2

: a noisy complaint

Examples of SQUAWK

1. <if we don't receive any squawks, we can assume the change was acceptable>

First Known Use of SQUAWK

1850

Related to SQUAWK

Synonyms

beef, bitch, bleat, carp, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, kvetch, lament, miserere, moan, murmur, plaint, complaint, wail, whimper, whine, whinge [British], yammer

Related Words

challenge, demur, expostulation, kick, niggle [chiefly British], objection, protest, quibble, remonstrance, stink

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit; acclaim, applause, praise; approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction