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

Her Valley girl howl will stop you in your tracks, proclaiming friendship, revolution, and, yeah, lust. — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026

Things that made your red-eyed soul sing and howl are few and far between. — New Atlas, 6 July 2026

Verb

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

But their instruments often weep, howl, and ululate as much as the vocals. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 26 Aug. 2026