squeak

1 of 2

verb

squeaked; squeaking; squeaks
Synonyms of squeaknext

intransitive verb

1
: to utter or make a short shrill cry or noise
2
3
: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin
just squeaked by in the election

transitive verb

: to utter in a shrill piping tone

squeak

2 of 2

noun

1
: a sharp shrill cry or sound
2
: escape
a close squeak
squeaky adjective

Examples of squeak in a Sentence

Verb I could hear the mouse squeaking. She squeaked when I pinched her. My shoes squeak when I walk. The wheel squeaks when it turns. He squeaked into office by fewer than 2,000 votes. “I can't believe it!” she squeaked. Noun She gave out a squeak.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
But in early June last year, the Red Sox entered a series in New York at 30-34, nine games behind the first-place Yankees, before going 10-3 in their next 13 games, finishing the year on a 59-39 run and squeaking into the playoffs. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 6 June 2026 In the end, the club squeaked by with a 1-0 win in the final game of the season, keeping its place in the top tier of La Liga. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 June 2026
Noun
The mice used some of the squeaks within their nests and others on the fringes of their territory. Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026 Others reported a persistent squeak. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for squeak

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squeken, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squeak was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeak. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

squeak

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make a short shrill cry or noise
2
: to pass, succeed, or win by a narrow margin
barely squeaked by
3
: to utter in a shrill tone

squeak

2 of 2 noun
1
: a sharp shrill cry or sound
2
: escape entry 2 sense 1
a close squeak

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