howling 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of howlingnext
1
as in yelling

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2
as in crying

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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
as in shrieking
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 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
Coyotes are territorial and many reports of bold coyotes visiting yards, howling or threatening larger dogs can often be attributed to this territorial behavior. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for howling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howling
  1. yelling
  2. crying
  3. screaming
  4. shrieking
  5. vocal
  6. sad
  7. wailing
  8. squealing
Adjective
  • Think Pictionary, but with way more yelling and questionable drawings.
    — Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of yelling
Adjective
  • Some in the pro-crying camp pointed to articles and headlines as proof.
    — Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Definition of crying
Verb
  • Research on hitting objects does not support it as a way to reduce anger, and there are too few studies of screaming to conclude its effects.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Onstage, Slayyyter, whose real name is Catherine Grace Garner, is a force, constantly moving around the stage, thrashing her head along to the music and screaming the lyrics to her songs.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • On the lawn, a mechanical bull bounced shrieking children into the air.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of shrieking
Adjective
  • During a June 11 meeting where the commission reluctantly agreed to put the question on the ballot after a judge ordered them to do so, Gabela was one of the most vocal opponents of the deal, the terms of which date back to 2016 and 2017.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
  • As the song unfolds, the drums, lead vocal, background vocals, chord movement and production all play a role in carrying and reshaping it, allowing the sections to feel distinctly different while still remaining tightly connected.
    — David Penn, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of vocal
Adjective
  • Tuesday's testimony in Media was emotional and sad as the 911 call of the stabbing was played.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But seeing Mike Love this weekend was a sad one for Beach Boys fans.
    — Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of sad
Verb
  • Moirologists, as they’re now known, were usually women, and their job was to display grief by crying, wailing, and tearing their hair.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of wailing
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
Definition of squealing

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howlers
howling
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Cite this Entry

“Howling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howling. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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