squeak

1 of 2

verb

squeaked; squeaking; squeaks

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
Washington — The Senate this week is taking up the massive budget package containing President Trump's second-term agenda, a measure that squeaked through the House with a one-vote margin, solely with Republican votes. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 2 June 2025 The Nuggets squeaked out a comeback win on the road in Game 1 and also took Game 3 thanks to some late heroics by Aaron Gordon and Co. The Thunder dominated Game 2 from start to finish, then rallied in Game 4 after trailing 71-63 with 11:26 to play in Denver. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Noun
The footage shows the beautiful black cat not with a typical meow, but with a series of gentle squeaks. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 June 2025 George's solo culminated in a symphony of squeaks before MJ Lenderman returned to the stage for a two-song encore. Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 17 May 2025 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 8 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on squeak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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