Synonyms of howl

howl 1 of 2

noun

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wail
• cry
• tears
• groan
• lamentation
• moan
• mourning
• lament
• weeping
• keen
• plaint
• sob
• suffering
• protest
• regret
• outcry
• sorrow
• anguish
• grief
• sorrowing
• grieving
• complaint
• heartbreak
• woe
• heartache
• agonizing
• hand-wringing
• cri de coeur
• dolor

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• exultation
• rejoicing
• smiling
• laughing
• cheering

2

as in shout

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion

heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shout
• cry
• scream
• shriek
• squeal
• yell
• roar
• holler
• yowl
• whoop
• hoot
• yelp
• screech
• squeak
• shrill
• wail
• outcry
• bellow
• interjection
• clamor
• ejaculation
• squall
• bawl
• caterwaul
• plaint

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• murmur
• mutter
• whisper
• gasp
• mumble
• whimper

3

as in roar

a violent shouting

the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call

Synonyms & Similar Words

• roar
• noise
• outcry
• clamor
• hue and cry
• vociferation
• tumult
• hubbub
• racket
• hullabaloo
• uproar
• din
• protest
• jangle
• outburst
• clangor
• cri de coeur

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rumble
• murmur
• rumbling
• murmuring
• mumble
• mumbling

howl

2 of 2

verb

ˈhau̇(-ə)l 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scream
• shriek
• wail
• yell
• bay
• yowl
• shrill
• squeal
• ululate
• screech
• keen
• yelp
• squall
• caterwaul
• bawl
• yawp

2

as in to shriek

to cry out loudly and emotionally

the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shriek
• scream
• squeal
• yell
• cry
• shrill
• screech
• yelp
• squall
• wail
• shout
• squawk
• yowl
• caterwaul
• bay
• thunder
• holler
• keen
• bawl
• yawp
• vociferate
• call

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whisper
• murmur
• mutter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of howl

Noun

Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind. — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

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

Verb

Iggy Pop, still prancing, howling and whooping with his chest exposed and jeans sliding down his waist, claims the title of the festival’s leading elder statesman. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

There are moments on Wowed Out when a younger James would have howled, would have ventured all the way out to sea, would have let his guitar erupt. — Ryan Leas, Pitchfork, 28 Aug. 2026