caterwaul 1 of 2

verb

ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl How to pronounce caterwaul (audio)
Definition of caterwaulnext
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

caterwaul

2 of 2

noun

as in yowl

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of caterwaul
Verb
As a musician, Ono was known for singing in what has been described as a screechy, caterwauling voice, and many of her musical collaborations with Lennon were baffling to Beatles fans. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025 That said, Shelton’s lyrics are much more darkly relatable and heartbreaking than someone caterwauling about being their own worst enemy. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2023 Until Ivey and the Department of Corrections can explain how the prison construction program caterwauled out of control, lawmakers should put the brakes on all state spending. — Kyle Whitmire, al, 17 Mar. 2023 An ambulance caterwauled down Sunset Boulevard, which runs parallel one block below. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022 In a season of a lively baseball, the Twins hit a silly number of home runs and came caterwauling out of the great north and took their division. — Michael Powell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2019 Media outlets that caterwaul about all this become the victims of commercial crises. — The Economist, 21 June 2018 This lets Congress caterwaul on behalf of special interests while blaming Presidents for not punishing foreigners. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caterwaul
  1. complain
  2. yowl
  3. scream
  4. screech
  5. whine
  6. howl
  7. moan
  8. squawk
Verb
  • In short order, users started complaining about multiple system reboots rather than the one expected with a security update.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • Researchers found nearly everyone admits to at least one bad beach habit, even as many complain about other people’s behavior.
    — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • On a stifling summer afternoon, Brian Johnson is pumping his fist and letting loose his unholy yowl.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • On the floor, hundreds of people convulse to Blanco Teta’s ravenous yowls and monster-truck basslines off their July album La debacle de las divas.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of yowl
Verb
  • The shooting of Fuentes Zambrano cannot be seen on the footage, but a woman’s screams and four additional shots can be heard, per the complaint.
    — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • The key is to train the mind to relax, just chill, even though somebody’s at the doorbell, even though somebody’s walking into the kitchen, little kids screaming through the house.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Guests range from ordinary commuters to figures like Cate Blanchett and Julian Casablancas, all subject to the same fluorescent lighting and ambient subway screech.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • In the short term, giving in to whining or a demand made during a tantrum can feel like the easier solution.
    — Melissa Willets, Parents, 19 July 2026
  • The snippet ends just as the cat whines and tucks its head beneath the barrier, not far from the officer filming the scene.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • Her Valley girl howl will stop you in your tracks, proclaiming friendship, revolution, and, yeah, lust.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Things that made your red-eyed soul sing and howl are few and far between.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of howl
Verb
  • The performers grind and moan as rain pours from above and a wind machine roars.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Over four months in 2025, a state investigative report found, Sunrise switched Timaloa's room eight times, the last into one occupied by Attilio Cecchetto, 92, a retired tile installer whose dementia led him to frequently moan, mumble, and yell.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 19 July 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
  • He was missed — especially vocally — since Gill’s angelic voice does not, in any way shape or form, resemble Walsh’s charmingly out-of-pitch squawk-talk style.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026
Definition of squawk

Browse Nearby Words

cater (to)
caterwaul
caterwauled
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Cite this Entry

“Caterwaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwaul. Accessed 25 Jul. 2026.

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