Synonyms
Examples of squall in a Sentence
Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 4 Sep. 2023
These wind events arise when storms form a continuous and narrow band of thunderstorms ahead of a cold front, also called a squall line, CNN reported.
—Emma Tucker, CNN, 27 Feb. 2023
The lighthouse offers a view of both Providence and Boston, and no doubt is a comfort to vessels navigating dangerous squalls in nearby Cocasset Lake.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023
Photo: andy buchanan/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images The wind business, viewed by governments as key to meeting climate targets and boosting electricity supplies, is facing a dangerous market squall.
—Mari Novik, WSJ, 7 Aug. 2023
That’s the second-highest level of risk for thunderstorms and is usually reserved for days when several supercells produce intense tornadoes, large hail or destructive squall lines with widespread damaging winds.
—Molly Fellin Spence, Baltimore Sun, 14 Aug. 2023
Numerous storms — perhaps consolidating into a squall line — are probable in the 5 to 10 p.m. window, and some could well become severe — with multiple potential hazards including flooding rain, frequent lightning, damaging winds and hail.
—Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2023
Today’s winter storm hazards will include heavy snow squalls, with 12 to 24 inches of snow slated for the Lake Tahoe area and Yosemite Village.
—Gerry Díaz, San Francisco Chronicle, 28 Feb. 2023
This will then quickly transition into a damaging wind event this evening and into the overnight hours as the storms form into a squall line, which is a continuous and narrow band of thunderstorms that form ahead of a cold front.
—Haley Brink, CNN, 26 Feb. 2023
Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Verb (1)
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skval useless chatter
Noun (2)
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skval rushing water
Verb (1)
circa 1631, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun (1)
1709, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing squall
Dictionary Entries Near squall
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squall. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on squall
Nglish: Translation of squall for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squall
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