squeal

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

Synonyms of squeal

• talk
• squeak
• inform
• tell (on)

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 on the Web

There are also, naturally, Easter eggs and appearances from several of the TV show’s recurring characters and deep-cut references and lots of stuff that will make the true heads squeal. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2026

There were no odd noises or squealing bearings to indicate the fan was having trouble. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

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

The first twenty minutes involve longtime Holzinger mentor-cum–ensemble member Renée Copraij spanking the gleefully squealing Annina Machaz. —Caroline Lillian Schopp, Artforum, 13 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

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

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