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
Iggy Pop, still prancing, howling and whooping with his chest exposed and jeans sliding down his waist, claims the title of the festival’s leading elder statesman. — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 Trapped in their castle by a howling rainstorm, our minifig royalty takes in a bevy of drenched animals. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 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
  • Most of the audience shots this year are screaming fans, whose enthusiasm is cute but not especially interesting.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Day is relieving tension from his long travel day, screaming wildly for his co-worker David.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 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
  • The vocal and acting prowess of the cast stands out, in a large-scale production that matches the level of major international musicals.
    — Franchesca Guim, Billboard, 30 Sep. 2026
  • El-Sayed, a former Michigan health official, has been vocal about healthcare issues along the campaign trail, speaking frequently about Medicare For All alongside a push to get money out of politics and a focus on affordability issues more broadly.
    — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Creel’s fellow cast members have been sending a lot of love to Haskins since the sad news of his death broke.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2026
  • In this Saved by the Bell superfan’s mind, that was not a sad thing.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Luann is unfazed and unmoving, cigar in hand, fedora on her head, posing for the camera despite the woman wailing from beneath her ass.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The bold clarity of the performances was energizing, but the wailing sometimes sounded like parody grief.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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 2 Oct. 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