squeal

verb \ ˈskwēl \

Updated on: 22 May 2018

Definition of squeal

intransitive verb

1 : to make a shrill cry or noise

2 a : 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

—

squealer

noun

See squeal defined for English-language learners

See squeal defined for kids

Examples of squeal in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of squeal from the Web

Just after the Jim Bronner Gymnasium sign was unveiled Saturday, more than a hundred kids began squealing and screaming with joy as white foam was sprayed on them from a converted fire truck.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Jim Bronner of Dr. Bronner's soap empire honored with YMCA gym dedication," 12 May 2018
And the Fun Slide, the Fun House, and the the gravestones of many people who laughed or squealed or met their spouse at this carnival.

— maria panaritis, Philly.com, "St. Denis Fun Fair: I dare you to say this Havertown tradition, now 50, will ever die. | Maria Panaritis," 4 May 2018
Smiling, giggling, squealing, arching his back, clapping his hands, reaching for her, pointing — pulling out his whole baby bag of tricks.

— anya kamenetz, Time, "I Use My Phone While I Breastfeed. I'm Not a Bad Mother," 29 Jan. 2018
Roth brought along a flying squirrel that ran around inside his shirt, while the kids squealed just thinking about the feel of it.

— kitty leshay, Courant Community, "Exotic Animals Descend On Library," 2 May 2018
That’s the sound of your inner child squealing with delight.

— meghan overdeep, Southern Living, "Sally Hansen’s New $4 Nail Polishes Are Perfect For Spring," 20 Apr. 2018
Who doesn’t love videos of teens and their families squealing with delight over the fruits of their labor?

— anne branigin, The Root, "Black Teen Who Won Full Ride to 20 Colleges Wants Apology From Reporter Who Called His Effort 'Obnoxious'," 13 Apr. 2018
The children squeal with delight and clap energetically.

— didem tali, USA TODAY, "Woman-led puppet theater brings health education to Myanmar villages," 22 Mar. 2018
As guests walk into the lobby of the Indianapolis Museum of Art they are greeted by a seven-and-a-half-foot blue plastic snail, often surrounded by a group of squealing, joyful children daring to touch it.

— alina tugend, New York Times, "To Reach New Audiences, Museums Are Redefining What They Offer," 12 Mar. 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.

Origin and Etymology of squeal

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

squeal Synonyms

Phrases

kick up a fuss;

squeal

noun

Definition of squeal

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

See squeal defined for English-language learners

Examples of squeal in a Sentence

She heard the pig's squeals.

Recent Examples of squeal from the Web

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
An astonishing collection of laughs — whinnies, giggles, squeals, snorts, heaves — gradually colors the narrative, until this seemingly harmless man becomes, in effect, not just a witness to savagery, but also an accessory.

— jesse green, New York Times, "Review: Surprise Lessons From John Lithgow’s ‘Stories by Heart’," 11 Jan. 2018
Claire squeals, squeezing Bender’s head between her knees.

— samantha schmidt, BostonGlobe.com, "Molly Ringwald reckons with the ‘The Breakfast Club’ in the #MeToo era," 10 Apr. 2018
Claire squeals, squeezing Bender's head between her knees.

— samantha schmidt, chicagotribune.com, "Molly Ringwald reckons with the 'The Breakfast Club' in the #MeToo era," 9 Apr. 2018
Trump’s exaggerations as president have been tabulated and provoke almost daily squeals of outrage.

— nina burleigh, Newsweek, "Trump vs. Mueller: Is the American Legal System Any Match for the President?," 8 Mar. 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, "“Injury to widespread brain networks” in victims of mystery attacks in Cuba," 15 Feb. 2018
If he hadn't been trapped in a meat locker and lost behind two feet of brick and burning insulation, one of the search teams might have heard the squeal over the thunder of the fire.

— sean flynn, Esquire, "The Perfect Fire," 9 Mar. 2017

First Known Use of squeal

1747

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

SQUEAL Defined for English Language Learners

squeal

verb

Definition of squeal for English Language Learners

: to make or cause (something) to make a long, high-pitched cry or noise
: to tell someone in authority (such as the police or a teacher) about something wrong that someone has done
: to say (something) in a high and excited voice

squeal

noun

Definition of squeal for English Language Learners

: a long, high-pitched cry or noise

SQUEAL Defined for Kids

squeal

verb \ ˈskwēl \

Definition of squeal for Students

squealed; squealing

1 : to make a sharp long high-pitched cry or noise

2 : inform 2

squeal

noun

Definition of squeal for Students

: a sharp high-pitched cry or noise

Learn More about squeal

See words that rhyme with squeal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for squeal Spanish Central: Translation of squeal Nglish: Translation of squeal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of squeal for Arabic speakers

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squeal

Definition of squeal

squealer

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Origin and Etymology of squeal

squeal Synonyms

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squeal

Definition of squeal

Examples of squeal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of squeal from the Web

First Known Use of squeal

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SQUEAL Defined for English Language Learners

squeal

Definition of squeal for English Language Learners

squeal

Definition of squeal for English Language Learners

SQUEAL Defined for Kids

squeal

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Definition of squeal for Students

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