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
For hours every day, the husky, howling piteously, would try in vain to leap the walls of his prison. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026 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 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
  • All of which hugs closely to the skin for a cologne that whispers rather than shouts.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
  • Jonsson grew visibly emotional amid the shouts and cheers for his casting during Saturday’s Marvel panel.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • Round out your visit with a ride aboard the Maid of the Mist, descend into the gorge at Cave of the Winds, or simply pause to take in the roar and mist of one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
  • And there was Nacua, gliding underneath the pass and taking it to the end zone to a roar of cheers.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of roar
Verb
  • Contrary to his radio silence at today’s hearings, one thing that screams with clarity is Fauci’s diary.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 29 July 2026
  • The Jets offseason didn’t scream planning for the future after bringing in Demario Davis (37), Geno Smith (35), David Onyemata (33), Tim Patrick (32) and Minkah Fitzpatrick (29).
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 28 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
  • Martin was then immediately handcuffed and arrested as the little girl’s cries were heard from inside the car.
    — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The cries of seagulls, water lapping against the boat, the rumble of engines and the arrival of speedboats ferrying cast and crew give the sense of sharing the actors’ long waits on the open water.
    — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • Later, the Taurus Moon enters your 3rd House of Communication, helping simple words calm the noise around you today.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
  • As the noises grew louder, Anyanwu tried calling a neighborhood-watch group, then some friends, but the calls didn’t connect.
    — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of noise
Verb
  • As Hwang and her partner placed the ticket on the car’s windshield and were returning to their vehicle, the vehicle’s owner approached, yelling expletives and ripping the citation to pieces.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
  • Witnesses said the men tried siccing a German shepherd on CBS News Chicago's photojournalist while yelling racial slurs, but the dog did not obey the command.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Definition of yell

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however
howl
howled
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Cite this Entry

“Howl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howl. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of howl for Spanish Speakers

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