caterwaul 1 of 2

verb

ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl How to pronounce caterwaul (audio)
Definition of caterwaulnext
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

caterwaul

2 of 2

noun

as in yowl

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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 caterwaul
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 That said, Shelton’s lyrics are much more darkly relatable and heartbreaking than someone caterwauling about being their own worst enemy. — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 21 June 2023 Until Ivey and the Department of Corrections can explain how the prison construction program caterwauled out of control, lawmakers should put the brakes on all state spending. — Kyle Whitmire, al, 17 Mar. 2023 An ambulance caterwauled down Sunset Boulevard, which runs parallel one block below. — Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022 In a season of a lively baseball, the Twins hit a silly number of home runs and came caterwauling out of the great north and took their division. — Michael Powell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2019 Media outlets that caterwaul about all this become the victims of commercial crises. — The Economist, 21 June 2018 This lets Congress caterwaul on behalf of special interests while blaming Presidents for not punishing foreigners. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 June 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for caterwaul
  1. complain
  2. yowl
  3. scream
  4. screech
  5. whine
  6. howl
  7. moan
  8. squawk
Verb
  • Our Good Question email inbox is filled right now with several people complaining about hearing swear words in political ads.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • After the guest complained, Marshall says she was called on the carpet.
    — Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • On a stifling summer afternoon, Brian Johnson is pumping his fist and letting loose his unholy yowl.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • On the floor, hundreds of people convulse to Blanco Teta’s ravenous yowls and monster-truck basslines off their July album La debacle de las divas.
    — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 18 Feb. 2026
Definition of yowl
Verb
  • As All In Build Continues Part of the explanation is that the inflation side of the mandate has been screaming louder.
    — Jason Kirsch, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The audience screams in response, and Scovel scolds them again but this time with a smile.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • La Vierge de Fer contrasts the delicate fruit and a lily note with the screech of cold metal, sparkling aldehydes, and lilting sandalwood.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • 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
  • The fact that a prominent world leader has been desperately hoping (some might say whining) for a Nobel Peace Prize is not lost on Bang.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026
  • Her Valley girl howl will stop you in your tracks, proclaiming friendship, revolution, and, yeah, lust.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
Definition of howl
Verb
  • After the guards left, the man continued to moan; his cellmates called for a doctor.
    — Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As school starts again, some kids will moan and groan to their parents about the end of summer.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of moan
Noun
  • For aviation geeks or those who simply want to keep track of their plane’s unique flying data and route, squawk codes can be tracked on apps and websites like Flightradar24 and Flight Beacon.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Definition of squawk

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Cite this Entry

“Caterwaul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwaul. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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