howl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of howlnext
1
as in wail
a crying out in grief we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house

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2
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics

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3
as in roar
a violent shouting the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call

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howl

2 of 2

verb

ˈhau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce howl (audio)
1
as in to scream
to make a long loud mournful sound several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down the wind howled on the open plain

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2
as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him

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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 howl
Noun
The engine delivers a deep, purposeful hum rather than an all-out howl as the gears disappear in quick succession. — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Through blood-curdling howls and rants about fascism, fraud, and fighting to understand your identity, Truck Violence push through ugliness to find something more unaltered and real. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 25 June 2026
Verb
All Balogun playing did was make the Americans seem like bullies who just lost the fight as everyone else howled laughter. — Miami Herald, 7 July 2026 Hargreaves may not have known about the Chiefs’ Wild Card win over the Dolphins in 2024 when a howling wind made the negative-4 degree temperature feel all the worse. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for howl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howl
  1. wail
  2. shout
  3. roar
  4. scream
  5. shriek
  6. cry
  7. noise
  8. yell
Noun
  • Mourners beat their chests rhythmically in the intense summer heat, the wails of women cutting through the noise as the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was unveiled beneath a glass case at the Grand Mosalla.
    — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 July 2026
  • After a second of consideration, Naim slams the grate shut to the monster’s wails, and the audience’s relief.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of wail
Noun
  • On the side of the highway, the night is a cacophony of blaring horns and the shouts of drunken men.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 2026
  • Every open gaming table has empty seats, though an occasional excited shout can be heard across the floor.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • Dixon said other issues to be considered are the deafening roar of traffic passing under the footbridge on I-91 and how to soften it.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
  • But the show doesn’t start until the 79-year-old De Shields nattily flips his jacket open, to the approving roar of the audience.
    — Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of roar
Verb
  • The shooting of Fuentes Zambrano cannot be seen on the footage, but a woman’s screams and four additional shots can be heard, per the complaint.
    — Ben Brachfeld, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • The key is to train the mind to relax, just chill, even though somebody’s at the doorbell, even though somebody’s walking into the kitchen, little kids screaming through the house.
    — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • The other customers cowered in the corners, while crowds formed at the windows outside, shrieking and recording the scene on their phones.
    — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
  • Kids are shrieking through their favorite splash pads, faces sticky with Bomb Pop juice and joy.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
Definition of shriek
Noun
  • Some 30 seconds into flight, lightning struck the rocket, leading to awestruck cries from crowds gathered nearby to watch the launch.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 24 July 2026
  • Now, a new documentary, created in association with Rolling Stone, is spotlighting the devoted fans that turned the comment into a global rallying cry.
    — Rolling Stone, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • But, beyond the noise, is there a short-term, collective crypto community goal rooted in the Congressional process?
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • On the stage barge, seven naked performers climbed on the crane, and a noise band assembled at the bow.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of noise
Verb
  • Grant, who is Black and deeply involved in historically Black organizing circles in Kansas City, was moderating the panel when Osborne allegedly began yelling at her.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026
  • After letting go of the minor, Schmidt yelled at both his parents and Pambianchi for the remainder of the evening, aggressively getting into Pambianchi's face multiple times.
    — Gabe White, Arkansas Online, 21 July 2026
Definition of yell

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howl
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Cite this Entry

“Howl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howl. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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