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
When giant hailstones start falling, or howling winter winds threaten to tear solar panels from the roof, the unprotected modules can do nothing but take the beating. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026 This is the sort of pure 1980s batshit monologue that prompts both oh-my-Lord gasps and howls of laughter, and Neill nails the whole thing. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 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
  • Also, a big shout out to Declan Lowney, who directed that first episode.
    — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Kansas City fans who know how customers are welcomed at Gates wondered if that thunderous shout would be showcased in the episode.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of shout
Noun
  • The roar of her engine died away, the white V around her prow disappeared, her nose fell.
    — JAMES D. OXLEY, Outdoor Life, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of roar
Verb
  • The man falls to the ground screaming as flames burst from beneath the truck.
    — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 5 Aug. 2026
  • The yelling and shouting and screaming, all while losing by 20.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 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
  • Witness accounts describe chaotic scene In the video, as many as five officers can be seen, and shrieks, screams, and cries are heard.
    — Marvin Hurst, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The accompanying image showed a pair of flip-flops adorned with Moore’s iconic cry-face on the left foot, while the right shows the actress making a more dramatic, less strained expression.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of cry
Noun
  • Parking, noise, light pollution and the impact on nearby neighborhoods have also been major concerns.
    — Amelia Mugavero, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Traffic, construction projects, mining operations, industrial work, concerts and sporting events all generate small but measurable ground movements known as anthropogenic seismic noise.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of noise
Verb
  • Video that the teen lobster diver's family shared with ABC Miami affiliate WSVN allegedly shows Simpson swimming away from the third lung and back to the Contender vessel as people on Del Sol's boat began yelling and cursing at him.
    — Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • One of them confronted Wesley, who allegedly began to yell at the other counselor and demanded to know what was going on.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 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 12 Aug. 2026.

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