squawk

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwȯk 

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

squawk

2 of 2

noun

1

: a harsh abrupt scream

2

: a noisy complaint

Synonyms

Verb

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan

Noun

• whine
• moan
• complaint
• fuss

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

Verb

The customers squawked about the high prices.

Opponents of the project have been squawking.

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The robins were squawking, scolding and flying back and forth. —Sheryl De Vore, Chicago Tribune, 28 May 2025

Waking up to a bird squawking in the middle of the night– well that’s just irritating. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2025

Noun

The animals use complex clicks, squawks and whistles to call out to each other, fight and attract a mate. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025

The show is thrilling as a sensory experience, humming with sinister percussive beats and the occasional muffled animal squawk in the distance. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of squall and squeak

First Known Use

Verb

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing squawk

• squawk box

Rhymes for squawk

• balk
• baulk
• bloc
• bock
• broch
• brock
• calk
• caulk
• chalk
• chock
• clock
• cock

Kids Definition

squawk

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwȯk 

1

: to utter a harsh short scream

2

: to complain or protest loudly or forcefully

students squawked about the new dress code

squawker noun

squawk

2 of 2 noun

1

: a harsh short scream

2

: a noisy complaint