CATERWAULING Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

caterwauling 1 of 2

adjective

as in vocal

engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest caterwauling fans vented on the talk radio show when news of the trade of the team's star player came to light

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

caterwauling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of caterwaul

as in complaining

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do

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Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of caterwauling

Verb

As a musician, Ono was known for singing in what has been described as a screechy, caterwauling voice, and many of her musical collaborations with Lennon were baffling to Beatles fans. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caterwauling

Adjective

The protagonist is highly vocal, frequently engaging in quips and banter.

— Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026
Layered background sighs, a resonant lead vocal, autumnal acoustic guitar flickers, synths both eerie and trippy—James has all his tricks on tap.

— Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of vocal

Verb

The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Even before the eighth inning on Sunday, Flemming spent a great deal of time complaining on the WEEI broadcast.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of complaining

Adjective

Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
Compounding this economic instability is blatant domestic corruption defined by self-enrichment.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Verb

That screaming maximum seems like something from a motor world made increasingly distant by turbochargers, hybrid systems and electric motors.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026
Imagine for a minute a Trojans defense with Luke Wafle, the nation’s top prospect in 2026, screaming off the edge a la the Bosa Bros at Ohio State.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of screaming

Adjective

Strahan has been outspoken about his kids in the past, sharing in 2025 that his daughter Isabella Strahan had been diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor, two years prior.

— Liza Esquibias, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Davis has long been an outspoken advocate for diversity and Black representation, especially in the entertainment industry.

— Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of outspoken

Verb

The state compared Atrium to a soccer team whining about the referees.

— Bob Herman, STAT, 18 Aug. 2026
The epic whining heard across MLB over the Tarik Skubal acquisition is evidence Andrew Friedman and Dodgers management are a masterclass in demonstrating creative leadership to cultivate a winning ballclub.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of whining

Adjective

What’s next for former mall site Sometimes in local government, the most vociferous of public comment periods can be followed by unanimous votes in favor of controversial projects.

— Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Former England internationals Joe Cole and Carlton Cole were among the most vociferous in the days leading up to the Premier League’s opening weekend, dismissing any notion of survival.

— Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of vociferous

Verb

Hall wrote in his report that Hamilton lay down in the backseat of the police vehicle, moaning and not responding, prompting first responders to give him Narcan.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026
Video released by the Milwaukie Police Department shows Descamps sprawled in a hospital bed, his body limp, moaning and drooling, while medical staff stood nearby.

— Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of moaning

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“Caterwauling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwauling. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of caterwauling

adjective

verb

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