howling 1 of 2

Definition of howlingnext
1
2

howling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of howl
1
as in screaming
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

2

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 howling
Adjective
After the rain stopped, there was a strange howling sound from the wind that was loud, constant, and all night long. Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 Oct. 2025 Aaron Chown—Press Association via AP Images People remove a new artwork by Banksy, depicting a howling wolf painted on a satellite dish that was placed on a shop roof in Peckham, south London. Rebecca Schneid, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
The Millers are now among the jackals howling for Fauci’s prosecution. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for howling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howling
Adjective
  • Think Pictionary, but with way more yelling and questionable drawings.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Verb
  • By the time the rock legends arrived, the black carpet was empty, aside from the herd of photographers and screaming fans.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Within seconds, protesters swarmed among the agents, screaming and holding their cellphones aloft.
    Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The addition of the electric guitar, drums and Jack White’s shrieking vocals transformed it into a rock song, while also keeping its signature folksiness.
    Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Having Moro, super, super smart, great communicator, the vocal leader of the group.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Playing a raging narcissist intoxicated with her own vocal calisthenics, Scherzinger gets one of the movie’s rare amusing moments, warbling in airy Mariah Carey melisma style even while weeping.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.
    Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Osama, donning his bulletproof blue press jacket and armed with his camera, is accosted by a woman wailing that 200 of her neighbors are gone.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
  • When the coroner’s deputy lifted Malachi’s body to take it away that night in October 2023, there was no wailing or sobbing from his parents.
    Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Video shot by OnScene TV on August 9 showed people rushing in and out of the store, some carrying merchandise, as roaring engines and squealing tires are heard in the background.
    David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Howling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howling. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster