squeal

verb

\ ˈskwēl

squealed; squealing; squeals

Definition of squeal

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to make a shrill cry or noise

2a : to turn informer squeal to the police

b : complain, protest

transitive verb

1 : to express with or as if with a squeal

2 : to cause to make a loud shrill noise squealing the tires

squeal

noun

Definition of squeal (Entry 2 of 2)

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

Other Words from squeal Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about squeal

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Examples of squeal in a Sentence

Verb

The car squealed to a stop. He squealed the tires and drove off. She squealed to the teacher. “Let me go,” she squealed.

Noun

She heard the pig's squeals.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

One spectator squealed with joy while stretching her arms toward the sky. — Reis Thebault, Washington Post, "Fourth of July celebrations more meaningful, worrisome for some Americans," 4 July 2018 Crews used a series of ropes to pluck the terrified pup, which squealed with delight upon arrival topside. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Must-see TV: Firefighters rescue squealing puppy from well," 17 May 2018 During the tour, Tiffany is at times a wide-eyed child, squealing with delight at her first look at a shark. — Brenda Cain, cleveland.com, "Aspiring marine biologist Tiffany Everhart gets VIP treatment at Cleveland Aquarium: A Greater Cleveland," 16 Apr. 2018 Others turned around and went home, avoiding the squealing children. — Ruth Brown, idahostatesman, "Boise Towne Square becomes ‘unbearable’ as shoppers wait for toy promotion," 12 July 2018 The two guitarists closed the song with a cacophony of feedback and whammy bar squeals that was simultaneously awe-inspiring and nearly unbearable. — Bryan Rolli, Billboard, "Slayer Close Out First Leg of Farewell Tour with Blistering, Career-Spanning Austin Performance," 21 June 2018 An adorable video posted to the singer's Instagram on Wednesday (July 4) shows the new dad spitting water into the air, his impression of a whale, which makes one of his twin infants squeal in delight. — Mary J. Dimeglio, Billboard, "See Adorable Video of Enrique Iglesias Making His Baby Giggle With Whale Impression," 4 July 2018 According to the complaint: A New Berlin police officer noticed a blue van making squealing noises at about 5:15 p.m. at National Avenue and Moorland Road. — Elliot Hughes, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pewaukee man admits driving after taking morphine, gets charged with 9th OWI," 29 June 2018 Walker and Kellman both squealed once the final outfit came together, as AlChabaoun laid out the finer points of button etiquette and offered suggestions on how to avoid spills. — Ben Golliver, SI.com, "From Dolphin Ethics to Moon Landings, Lonnie Walker IV Unloads Scorching Takes," 21 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Native to the Tianshan Mountains of northwestern China, the Ili pika was discovered in 1983, and few have shown their squeal-worthy faces since. — National Geographic, "Rare Bunny-Faced Mammal Captured on Video," 14 June 2018 And the impressive array of imposing creatures — a tarantula, a scorpion — behind glass but obviously quite alive, inspired squeals of horror and excitement. — New York Times, "Francine Prose on Montreal in the Spring: The Time of the Butterflies," 11 June 2018 Dante, hovering over the issue with Anglophile, let out a manly squeal. — Elisa Albert, Longreads, "Etta or Bessie or Dora or Rose," 24 May 2018 Speak into a microphone embedded in the piece, and your voice echoes at a high pitch — a ghost’s squeal. — Cate Mcquaid, BostonGlobe.com, "At the ICA, Kevin Beasley alchemizes dark histories," 23 May 2018 The episodes tended to include directional, irritating sounds, such as buzzing and piercing squeals, as well as pressure and vibrations. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "US gov’t employee in China left with brain injury after strange sounds, pressure," 23 May 2018 Researchers are surveying in some parts of the bay using underwater microphones designed to detect the clicks and squeals dolphins use to communicate with one another. — Scott Dance, Washington Post, "Dolphins now are appearing by the hundreds in the Chesapeake Bay," 18 May 2018 Researchers are surveying in some parts of the bay using underwater microphones designed to detect the clicks and squeals dolphins use to communicate with each other. — Scott Dance, baltimoresun.com, "Dolphins appearing by the hundreds in Chesapeake Bay: 'All of a sudden there were like 50 of them around us'," 14 May 2018 Saripalli glimpsed her new look through her iPhone camera and let out a squeal of excitement. — NBC News, "Parkland's seniors celebrate prom, but four are missing," 6 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'squeal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.