1
as in to talk
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
that stool pigeon squealed to the police about the whole smuggling operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
hoped that a DVD player in the backseat would keep the kids from squealing about long car rides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squeal
Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
But grinding, squealing or rattling are signs of trouble.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
Mirin Fader, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The squeals, heavy breathing, and tail thrashing of the headline attraction, the ominous pitter-patter of a chestburster scuttling across the floor, and the characteristic crunch of a chestburster smashing through an unfortunate ribcage are all integral to the extra-terrestrial horror.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeal
Verb
Sherman yelled at the audience members, many of whom were squealing in horrified glee.
—Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
But grinding, squealing or rattling are signs of trouble.
—Angie Hicks, Boston Herald, 6 Dec. 2025
Noun
As Mobley settled onto his mat, the noises began to fade: the falling rain, the crash of waves, the squeals of monkeys.
—Mirin Fader, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2025
The squeals, heavy breathing, and tail thrashing of the headline attraction, the ominous pitter-patter of a chestburster scuttling across the floor, and the characteristic crunch of a chestburster smashing through an unfortunate ribcage are all integral to the extra-terrestrial horror.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squeal
Verb
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Brandon asked her out the next day, and the pair spent hours talking on a Ferris wheel during their first date.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
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People with respiratory viruses who have high-risk conditions or who live in households with high-risk individuals should talk to their healthcare professional about taking antiviral medications to treat the virus or prevent transmission.—
Jack Perry,
The Providence Journal,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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This seems to me as offensive to rationality as a saint shrieking into the air.—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Later, the state spent $6 million to seal the brick building, after state workers complained of respiratory ailments and asthma.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
11 Jan. 2026
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Although older drivers are certainly more sensitive to nocturnal blasts of light, drivers in their 20s and 30s also complained about the overall brightness of some vehicles.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
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As the band blares, Georgia fans bark for the Dawgs and Alabama faithful screech Roll Tide.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
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That proved to be true again Wednesday night as Velasco was in the middle of the fray, scoring 11 of his 14 points in the first half as host Oswego squeaked out a 59-58 win over Metea Valley.—
Rick Armstrong,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Jan. 2026
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Barely squeaking its way into the 19th century, Anmer Hall was constructed in 1802.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Heads hung low, players consoling one another or screaming obscenities at no one in particular, the care factor off the charts.—
Mirjam Swanson The Orange County Register,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
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Kelly and others screaming such obscenities as parishioners enter and exit the sanctuary has culminated in the parish’s requests for police escorts.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some had noisy bearings, which could sound like a whining noise.—
John Paul,
The Providence Journal,
16 Jan. 2026
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Illinois Republicans have turned whining into an artform.—
Paul Miller,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, after 40 minutes, the pilot turned back to Birmingham after issuing the 7700 squawk emergency code over the French coast, Daily Express reported.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
30 Dec. 2025
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There are times when squawk is not used to communicate aircraft information, like during military operations.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
15 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squeal. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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