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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in roar
a violent shouting
the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In response to howls of protest, the commission has agreed to a 180-day moratorium on severing the ties with PBS.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for howl
Noun
For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits.
—Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In response to howls of protest, the commission has agreed to a 180-day moratorium on severing the ties with PBS.
—Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for howl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howl
Noun
-
Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
6 May 2026
-
Within moments, a smoke detector wails.—
Cyrus Farivar,
ArsTechnica,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
The rest of the time, what the candidates said came off as one giant shout-fest straight out of the studios of the late, great Wally George, with everyone playing true to form.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
Then Zas made an odd shout out to his own mentor.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Clark and her teammates walked down the stairs and through the crowd to the court for player introductions with the loudest roar, naturally, reserved for Clark.—
Michael Marot,
Chicago Tribune,
10 May 2026
-
Resident colobus monkeys’ distinctly guttural roars serve as singular natural alarms at daybreak, when an inspired array of adventures await.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
As the recording, which lasts over an hour, continues, Athena’s screams can be heard.—
Jamie Stengle,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
-
The audio recording captured the sounds of the ensuing attack, including banging, screaming, crying and choking.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
Pulido told the crowd, before scratching his signature onto the brim and handing it to Jimena, who pumped it in the air and shrieked with joy.—
Jesús Rodríguez,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
-
The Bob Baker Marionettes knew their audience very well — the crowd shrieked along to the chorus.—
Rebecca Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That name has since become synonymous with the defense of one’s territory, and a rallying cry.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
7 May 2026
-
The trail eventually tilts back down toward the city, where car honks and train horns replace the cries of birds and insects.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Surveying the space they’re tasked with protecting, the two men grouse about the incessant noise of FedEx workers packing up storefronts on rolling large cardboard boxes toward the exits.—
Audrey Pachuta,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
John Harbaugh looked up as the noise built to a crescendo on Saturday.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
According to court documents, witnesses told police that Smith and another person were walking south on North Holmes near the entrance to the apartment complex when Crosby and two others approached them, yelling.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 May 2026
-
That gives you the ability to weed out those people who’d yell at you in advance.—
Kristen Arnett,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Howl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howl. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
