1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow)
a snow squall is expected tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the annual squall created when the store holds its biggest sale of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squall
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Cage the Elephant could teach a master class in the fine art of making an entrance, storming the stage to the squall of distorted guitar, their first song exploding on impact as giant bursts of flame erupted all across the stage in front of them.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
In the developed world, 1 to 2 percent of adults get swept up in its squall, with men over 30 and post-menopausal women most at risk.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Cage the Elephant could teach a master class in the fine art of making an entrance, storming the stage to the squall of distorted guitar, their first song exploding on impact as giant bursts of flame erupted all across the stage in front of them.
—Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Verb
Unlike longer-lasting snowstorms, squalls move fast and can catch drivers off guard, especially when roads appear mostly clear just moments before conditions deteriorate.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
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As for where the strongest storms will be, Hinton said forecast models point to closer to the coastline.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2026
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The series highlights systemic inequities and the government’s failures, revealing how the storm exacerbated existing social injustices while providing a platform for local voices to reclaim their story and share resilience, grief, and wisdom for future generations.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Team parents were staying at our hotel where there was a commotion in the lobby.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Crystal Police Department said between 75 and 150 children caused the commotion at Becker Park earlier this week.—
Anthony Bettin,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The angry purists shrieked their response, rattling their Converse sneakers in their fists, to remind everyone that trades and free agents aren’t part of college basketball.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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Then the lights went out in the store, and one of the clerks shrieked in the dark, and another told her to remain calm.—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For now, Buttigieg has chosen to wait out the tempests in Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten, a former schoolteacher.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
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What started as a joyous snowball fight Monday in New York City morphed into a political tempest after residents began pelting police officers with snow and ice.—
Tim Craig,
Washington Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Additionally, 57 percent of acreage uses no-till or conservation tillage, minimizing soil disturbance to reduce erosion, improve water infiltration and lower fuel use.—
SJ Studio,
Footwear News,
6 Apr. 2026
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An active weather pattern returns by the end of the week due to a southerly wind, an increase in moisture, and a few different disturbances.—
Lauren Bostwick,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For families This hotel doesn’t scream family-friendly and there’s no kids’ menu in the restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Martens plans to scream, if not louder, than with more originality.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
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The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Just don't be in a hurry to get there.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Don’t be in a hurry, as this grace period will keep your home from being filled with toxic fumes from the new installation.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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