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 shriek

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

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

2

as in to scream

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
• yaup
• vociferate
• call

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whisper
• murmur
• mutter

Examples of howl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At the start, the sound effects by Robert Mackenzie might be wind but also might double as a moan or howl. —Caryn James, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024

Ever since, activists opposed to school choice, and their media allies, have howled in protest against the enactment of Arizona’s universal ESA program, claiming ... —Matt Beienburg, National Review, 14 Sep. 2024

Soon, a rowdy crowd of thousands will be howling along with 49. —Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2024

In Marquette’s tower, the howling wind rattles so violently that the structure sways. —Story Hinckley, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Sep. 2024