squawk

verb \ ˈskwȯk \

|Updated on: 25 Jun 2018

Examples: squawk in a Sentence

Definition of squawk

squawked; squawking; squawks

intransitive verb

1 : to utter a harsh abrupt scream

2 : to complain or protest loudly or vehemently

opponents of the bill squawked

—

squawker

noun

See squawk defined for English-language learners

See squawk defined for kids

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of squawk from the Web

Brexiters will squawk about a betrayal, but their political failure is not uniting to make the case for something better.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "Brexit and Circuses," 13 June 2018
GenderAvenger, a national group with a Massachusetts chapter, isn’t the only one in town squawking about the lack of women on panels.

— shirley leung, BostonGlobe.com, "At biotech’s biggest showcase, the lineup is light on female speakers," 31 May 2018
Hiller was angry earlier in the day because Smith’s bird was squawking in the yard, said State Attorney Office spokesman Larry Kahn.

— gwen filosa, miamiherald, "A barking woman was annoyed at a barking dog. So she zapped his groin with a stun gun | Miami Herald," 3 May 2018
Rodríguez carefully untangled a squawking hummingbird from a mist net.

— National Geographic, "Inside the Black Market Hummingbird Love Charm Trade," 18 Apr. 2018
Although her late-night set began with a series of technical difficulties — from squawking vocals to dropped sound (none of which were her fault) — Dacus remained as graceful as ever.

— britt julious, chicagotribune.com, "Lucy Dacus brings 'Historian' to vibrant life at the Empty Bottle," 7 Apr. 2018
There are also a few lines, seemingly improvised, that had the audience squawking.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Amy Schumer’s Head Injury," 20 Apr. 2018
The birds also sing slightly different songs: While the superb makes a loud squawking noise, the Vogelkop has a more pleasant, tonal call.

— tim laman, National Geographic, "New Bird of Paradise Species Has Smooth Dance Moves," 18 Apr. 2018
The place is an urban circus of vendors squawking out the prices of whole baby sharks and eggplant to those passing by, halal butchers carving up carcasses, and mounds of divine Sicilian pistachios and almonds.

— erin florio, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Sicily," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squawk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of squawk

probably blend of squall and squeak

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1821

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

squawk Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

squawk

noun

Definition of squawk

1 : a harsh abrupt scream

2 : a noisy complaint

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

if we don't receive any squawks, we can assume the change was acceptable

Recent Examples of squawk from the Web

But now, science might have an answer, sort of, in the form of chairs shaped like eggs and ceilings that bounce your own squawks back at you, forcing you to quiet down through a trick of acoustic psychology.

— olga khazan, The Atlantic, "How to Make Your Open Office Less Annoying," 9 May 2018
Its squawk echoes an ancient call that has reverberated through this land for thousands of years.

— National Geographic, "This Is What One of the Last Great Migrations Looks Like," 17 Apr. 2018
At the head of the Conner tribe were Roseanne (Roseanne Barr), with her squawk of a laugh and pro-choice politics, and Dan (John Goodman), an overworked, loveable bull of a husband.

— jason parham, WIRED, "The Fall of the TV Family in Trump's America," 28 Mar. 2018
From his longhouse, at sunset, there was the squawk of parrots, and the night sky soon filled with stars.

— jon lee anderson, Condé Nast Traveler, "Stepping Beyond Cartagena: Exploring Colombia's Northern Reaches," 21 Mar. 2018
Both sang at the same time, the herons with their squawks and the ducks with their mouse-like cries.

— emilie c. harting, Philly.com, "In Washington's San Juan Islands, an expedition cruise and wondrous hiking," 8 Mar. 2018
But those studies could not determine whether the usefulness of grunting was confined only to tennis or how the ballistic squawks were affecting onlookers and opponents.

— gretchen reynolds, New York Times, "To Boost Sports Performance (and Annoy Your Opponents), Grunt," 7 Mar. 2018
Hard launches are greeted with a squawk from the rear tires and a 92-decibel din at full throttle.

— michael simari, Car and Driver, "Time Is Money: We Test a $200K 1981 Toyota Land Cruiser," 15 Feb. 2018
But most attractive is the sheer quietude, punctuated by the occasional duck squawk.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "It’s Time You Took a Walk Around the Hollywood Reservoir," 25 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of squawk

1850

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

squawk Synonyms

Synonyms

beef, bleat, carp, complaint, fuss, grievance, gripe, grouch, grouse, grumble, holler, lament, moan, murmur, plaint, wail, whimper, whine, yammer;

Near Antonyms

commendation, compliment, plaudit;

acclaim, applause, praise;

approval, endorsement (also indorsement), sanction;

SQUAWK Defined for English Language Learners

squawk

verb

Definition of squawk for English Language Learners

of a bird : to make a short, harsh cry
: to complain or protest loudly or with strong feeling

SQUAWK Defined for Kids

squawk

verb \ ˈskwȯk \

Definition of squawk for Students

squawked; squawking

1 : to make a harsh short cry

The bird squawked loudly.

2 : to complain or protest loudly or with strong feeling

squawk

noun

Definition of squawk for Students

1 : a harsh short cry

2 : a noisy complaint

Learn More about squawk

See words that rhyme with squawk Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squawk Spanish Central: Translation of squawk Nglish: Translation of squawk for Spanish speakers

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squawk

Definition of squawk

squawker

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of squawk

squawk Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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squawk

Definition of squawk

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

Recent Examples of squawk from the Web

First Known Use of squawk

squawk Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

SQUAWK Defined for English Language Learners

squawk

Definition of squawk for English Language Learners

SQUAWK Defined for Kids

squawk

Definition of squawk for Students

squawk

Definition of squawk for Students

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