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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
  1. vocal
  2. complaining
  3. blatant
  4. screaming
  5. outspoken
  6. whining
  7. vociferous
  8. moaning
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
  • Videos on social media published last week showed empty markets in Tehran and Karaj, with sellers complaining that their fresh produce is not being bought.
    — Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The same folks who are complaining about the current mess in college athletics are the same ones who are inviting the chaos through their front door.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 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
  • Newcastle’s opposition, Liverpool, will join the vociferous appreciation and the towering noise will match the stands Keegan built.
    — Michael Walker, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Despite that, wealthy opponents of the tax have been vociferous, and the Mamdani administration’s rollout of it has been highly scrutinized.
    — Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 18 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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Cite this Entry

“Caterwauling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwauling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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