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

Pairing Aflac, which has thrived with commercials featuring an anthropomorphic duck squawking out its name, and Affleck. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Jackie warmed to his presence, and Stormy stopped squawking at him. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

In a separate incident involving a squawk 7700 in July, a Southwest Airlines flight departing Kahului, Hawaii, sent out a squawk 7700 after a passenger experienced a medical issue on board, the airline confirmed to PEOPLE at the time. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

For aviation geeks or those who simply want to keep track of their plane’s unique flying data and route, squawk codes can be tracked on apps and websites like Flightradar24 and Flight Beacon. — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 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