squeal

1 of 2

verb

squealed; squealing; squeals
Synonyms of squealnext

intransitive verb

1
: to make a shrill cry or noise
2
a
: to tell someone in authority (as the police, a parent, or a teacher) about someone else's bad behavior or actions
How'd they find out? Someone must have squealed.

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 also squeal on

squeal

2 of 2

noun

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

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
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
The Cheers alum regaled how his mom showed up on set of Indecent Proposal squealing like a 16-year old in her fandom of Redford, who warmly received her. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026 At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
For the record, actor Henry Travers pronounces the word library in a desperate squeal. Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025 The duo jumped and screamed in celebration, with their dogs joining the fun with a few barks and squeals. Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squeal

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

1747, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squeal. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

squeal

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make a long shrill cry or noise
2
a
: inform sense 2
squealed to the teacher
3
: to utter with or as if with a squeal
squealer noun

squeal

2 of 2 noun
: a long shrill cry or noise

More from Merriam-Webster on squeal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!