squawk

verb \ ˈskwȯk \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of squawk

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

There would be 20,000 birds in that tree, all squawking.

— win mccormack, The New Republic, "A Beautiful Place for an Ashram," 12 Apr. 2018
As many as eight shrill-squawking, preening peacocks roost regularly at night in the branches of the towering oak tree that shades the front yard of Wright’s one-story home in Oakland, a town of 2,600 people about 16 miles west of Orlando.

— stephen hudak, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Oakland hires trapper to nab 'gorgeous' but 'nasty' peacocks after complaints," 3 Apr. 2018
On the one hand, having a new tab unexpectedly start squawking and making a racket is tremendously annoying.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Chrome 66 will try to block unwanted noisy autoplaying video," 23 Mar. 2018
Blinds drawn, the teachers reminded you and reminded you to drink water and slather on sunscreen, squawking like parrots.

— cory doctorow, The Atlantic, "The City of Coordinated Leisure," 28 Feb. 2018
Now each playoff team has a representative and the Heat won't squawk about being snubbed.

— matt velazquez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Around the NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo and Paul George earn player of the week honors," 3 Feb. 2018
And so there's been a lot of squawking on the right.

— NBC News, "Meet the Press -January 28, 2018," 28 Jan. 2018
Now someone brings Billy into the room, and Jimmy takes him in his arms and sits on the couch, holding his hands as Billy squawks.

— michael paterniti, GQ, "Jimmy Kimmel Is Seriously Funny," 17 Jan. 2018
Goose squawked four times, beat his wings and refused to cooperate.

— britta lokting, New York Times, "The Pied Piper of Parrots," 17 Jan. 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

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

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
Casselberry, a city that promotes its lakes, golf course and art house, now welcomes a preening flock of squatters that wander the streets, squawk loudly and perch themselves on rooftops.

— martin e. comas, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Casselberry protects some of its most colorful residents — peacocks," 26 Dec. 2017
The twins reportedly didn’t even let out a single squawk.

— hilary weaver, Vanities, "George and Amal Clooney Just Outdid All Other Parents," 13 Dec. 2017

First Known Use of squawk

1850

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

Recent Examples of squawk from the Web

Origin and Etymology of squawk

squawk Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

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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