squawk

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

1

: a harsh abrupt scream

2

: a noisy complaint

squawker

3 of 3

noun (2)

squawk·​er

-kə(r)

plural -s

: one that squawks: such as

a

: a toy that makes a squawking sound

b

: duck call

c

: one that complains or protests noisily

d

: informer sense 3

e

: squawk box

Synonyms of squawk

Verb

• complain
• scream
• whine
• moan

Noun (1)

• 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 (1)

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On a recent day, a flock of some 30 were perched in the distance — scattering when a pair of squawking oystercatchers alerted them to visitors. —ABC News, 30 May 2026

Inside the pack, a walkie-talkie squawked with the voices of staff who needed back-up on the playground, or a bathroom break, or help soothing a troubled student. —Cory Turner, NPR, 19 Apr. 2026

Noun

Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

He was missed — especially vocally — since Gill’s angelic voice does not, in any way shape or form, resemble Walsh’s charmingly out-of-pitch squawk-talk style. —Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of squall and squeak

First Known Use

Verb

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

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