squeal

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwēl 

squealed; squealing; squeals

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.

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 also:

squeal on

squeal

2 of 2

noun

: a shrill sharp cry or noise

Synonyms of squeal

Verb

• talk
• squeak
• inform
• tell (on)

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

Soto’s Marie pouts and squeals with abandon. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026

Pigs that were being hauled by the semi could be heard squealing at the scene. — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 23 June 2026

Noun

From the pig trailer came a bang, followed by a muffled squeal. — Will MacKin, New Yorker, 28 June 2026

In response, the paddlers near the front of the canoe momentarily pause their paddling and squeal as the sea lion splashes them. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

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

Phrases Containing squeal

• squeal on

Rhymes for squeal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• congeal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel

Kids Definition

squeal

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwē(ə)l 

1

: to make a long shrill cry or noise

2

a

: inform sense 2

squealed to the teacher

b

: complain sense 1, protest

3

: to utter with or as if with a squeal

squealer noun

squeal

2 of 2 noun

: a long shrill cry or noise