howling 1 of 2

Definition of howlingnext
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howling

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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
Gary ad-libbed to the sound of howling winds and ominous metal scraping. Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 21 June 2026 With a pummelling rhythm and howling guitar, the new song from fata morgana makes a desperate race against the doom loop. Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 10 June 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
  • The ‘Ginger Prince’ also scored the goal which prompted the loudest atmosphere at Old Trafford so far this century, a 25-yard screaming half-volley against Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-final second leg, the only goal across both legs.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Dispatchers heard gunshots and screaming on the other end of the line.
    Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 2 Aug. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Several residents who spoke at the meetings characterized the opposition as a vocal minority of residents who have fixated on a few mostly parochial issues.
    John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Thirty pounds lighter, with a prosthetic eyelid, a higher vocal octave and months of mental preparation, Hunnam became Gein.
    Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 1 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Biden as the progressive hero, and Obama as the sad, weak appendage to the Reagan era.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026
  • But my partner’s son is sad his own father is also less involved but doesn’t see the cause.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 29 July 2026
Verb
  • This Lusitania didn’t sink as a formal band played, but the ticking of each man’s pocket watch synchronized to form a furious percussion section, and all those wailing women’s voices layered into girl-group harmonies.
    Claire Carusillo, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of wailing in agony after sampling the vengefully spiked bird, Prince fell in love with it and founded the BBQ Chicken Shack in 1945.
    Ellen Fort, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Cannon said before pretending to jab his arm with a dosage while squealing from the pain and showing his vaccination card.
    Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • In the clip, Niney is pictured talking calmly on his cell phone as Gasly races around him in the Alpine car, squealing the tires.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 29 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Howling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howling. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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