HOWLS Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

howls 1 of 2

noun

Definition of howls next

plural of howl

as in wails

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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as in shouts

a loud vocal expression of strong emotion heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics

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as in roars

a violent shouting the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call

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howls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of howl

as in shrieks

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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as in screams

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 howls

Noun

For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits. —

Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 In response to howls of protest, the commission has agreed to a 180-day moratorium on severing the ties with PBS. —

Arkansas Online, 23 Mar. 2026 As the howls got louder, the mother eagle woke up. —

Lauren Linder, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026 Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point. —

Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026 The Wolf Moon name dates back to Indigenous and early Anglo-Saxon traditions, inspired by the winter wolves whose howls echoed across cold January nights. —

Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026 The year's first full moon is best known as the wolf moon since the howls of wolves were more likely to be heard during winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. —

Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026 United Methodist leadership with the bishop’s office preached to students, who welcomed the leaders with excited howls. —

Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025 The long recess has drawn howls of protest from Democratic leaders, who have returned to Washington to demand negotiations that might lead to a bipartisan spending bill that could reopen the government. —

Mike Lillis, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025

Verb

Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls. —

Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place. —

Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 Apr. 2026 Karen howls in a video Kaley posted to Instagram as a teenager. —

Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby. —

Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The wind howls, and the sound of the runners grinding over the ice is surprisingly loud. —

Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026 Hip holidaying friends, those who don’t want to share their trip with babies’ howls, and golfers looking for an element of cool (guests have access to all the facilities at the other Costa Navarino hotels such as golf courses and the Mouratoglou tennis academy). —

Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 Listening to Alan Vega, these rockers’ influence on his signature howls and croons becomes obvious. —

Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026 From the booth, Lyons Township announcer Aidan Brandstedt howls, overcome with excitement. —

Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls

Noun

There was grit and grime to his feedback-heavy guitar wails, but there was sweep and grandeur too, more apparent on stage than on record.

— Piet Levy, jsonline.com, 28 Mar. 2026
Ride the thrill of Hostile Design’s passionate wails and percussion overload when the group headlines eight shows to kick off the new year, making their way across California, Rhode Island, Quebec, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Illinois with the same energy that once fueled their humble beginnings.

— Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026