howled; howling; howls
Synonyms of howlnext

intransitive verb

1
: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family
2
: to cry out loudly and without restraint under strong impulse (such as pain, grief, or amusement)
3
: to go on a spree or rampage

transitive verb

1
: to utter with unrestrained outcry
2
: to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry
used especially with down
howl noun

Examples of howl in a Sentence

The dogs were howling at the moon. several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Hip holidaying friends, those who don’t want to share their trip with babies’ howls, and golfers looking for an element of cool (guests have access to all the facilities at the other Costa Navarino hotels such as golf courses and the Mouratoglou tennis academy). Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 Listening to Alan Vega, these rockers’ influence on his signature howls and croons becomes obvious. Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026 The poll comes as the ballot measure proposal, which is being pushed by the health care worker labor union SEIU-UHW, draws howling fury from some vocal billionaires who have threatened to leave the state and, in some cases, taken steps toward divesting from California. Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026 Whitman’s howling yodel and clean-cut persona were a far cry from the sound Presley had been rehearsing. Joe Sills, Forbes.com, 17 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for howl

Word History

Etymology

Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of howl was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Howl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/howl. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

howl

verb
1
: to make a long loud mournful sound like that of a dog
2
: to cry out loudly (as with pain, grief, or amusement)
howled in protest
howling with laughter
3
: to drown out or cause to fail by an outcry
howled down the opposition
howl noun

More from Merriam-Webster on howl

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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