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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of caterwauling
Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025
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
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Seth and Lauren, who have been married since 2011, have been vocal about their personal experiences with Alzheimer's disease.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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The two challengers are left-leaning and vocal about trying to balance the state Supreme Court ideologically.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
Verb
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So, what Rodriguez and Cohen Higgins are complaining about is what happens four and five years or even ten years down the line.—
Jim DeFede,
CBS News,
17 May 2026
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Follow these mowing etiquette tips to avoid being the one that your neighbors are complaining about on Reddit.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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The rogues’ gallery of killers released by the Parole Board came with rap sheets often marked by blatant disregard for human life.—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
15 May 2026
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Once beloved, Miasma fell from grace over the years thanks to a series of shitty sequels plus later generations’ reappraisal of the films’ blatant misogyny and transphobia.—
Rachel Handler,
Vulture,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Her father and cousin had come looking for her, and were screaming outside.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
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Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong let a rival fan have it during a heated, NSFW screaming match on Sunday, playing the White Sox.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Another candidate was an outspoken opponent, contending that the project was a sop to developers.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The Lakers executive’s contribution signals growing Hollywood interest in Pratt’s outsider candidacy, which has gained momentum following his outspoken criticism of city leadership after the 2025 Palisades fires.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Last week, the whining noise of unmanned flying objects could be heard in the city of Moscow once again.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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Luke's demise and Boyega's whining about the Black stormtrooper weren't the only reasons Disney's three movies failed.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Now every aspect, all day, every day, is swirling in a tornado of vociferous opinion and mockery.—
Amy Lawrence,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
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The emblematic events of the 1960s—demands to end the Vietnam War, equally vociferous demands for racial equity, a growing embrace among the young of their power as agents of change—often originated or found dramatic (even traumatic) expression on campus.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There are kerfuffles down at the hardware store, and a moaning moose makes his presence known near the motel where Ulysses is staying.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 Apr. 2026
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But a male voice could be heard moaning in the background.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Caterwauling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwauling. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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