1
as in wails
a crying out in grief
we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shouts
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion
heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in roars
a violent shouting
the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
2
as in screams
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of howls
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
More importantly, the most recent of these sightings, just two years ago, was by a railroad passenger, so keep a lookout for a tall, hairy figure, or for massive footprints, which are also commonly reported, and listen for the mysterious creature’s spine-tingling howls.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Those howls in the moors are literature fans fighting over whether this reimagining of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic romance will be confoundingly misguided or bodice-rippingly good.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Those four cylinders aren’t missed; the Bentayga Speed positively screams and howls, especially if equipped with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
Everybody howls at the truth of that.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
Held in May of last year, the dinner saw walkouts and howls of dissent as Ari Emanuel tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what the super-agent saw as an overkill response to the October 7 attacks.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Wind howls as one of the daughters' body rocks on a gurney, her family lighting candles as a rabbi screams scripture with water crashing in a nearby tub.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
More importantly, the most recent of these sightings, just two years ago, was by a railroad passenger, so keep a lookout for a tall, hairy figure, or for massive footprints, which are also commonly reported, and listen for the mysterious creature’s spine-tingling howls.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
From the booth, Lyons Township announcer Aidan Brandstedt howls, overcome with excitement.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Those howls in the moors are literature fans fighting over whether this reimagining of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic romance will be confoundingly misguided or bodice-rippingly good.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Those four cylinders aren’t missed; the Bentayga Speed positively screams and howls, especially if equipped with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
Everybody howls at the truth of that.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
Held in May of last year, the dinner saw walkouts and howls of dissent as Ari Emanuel tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what the super-agent saw as an overkill response to the October 7 attacks.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Wind howls as one of the daughters' body rocks on a gurney, her family lighting candles as a rabbi screams scripture with water crashing in a nearby tub.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
-
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,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Normally, scent voices are mere whispers compared to the screams and angry shouts of humans, but in that section, certain sensitive plant species shrieked incessantly because of their proximity to plants that hindered their growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
There would be no third consecutive title, no hoisting of the championship cup over heads, no giddy laughter or shouts of joy.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
3 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The people want to see Varang’s fierce roars!—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
3 Jan. 2026
-
White then nailed a step back 3, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Christopher Patterson's mother held back tears as his family and friends gathered on Friday outside the home where the 23-year-old lost his life two days before.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Narrated by Colm Feore and James Hyndman in the English and French versions of the movie, respectively, the 17-minute stop-motion short follows a poor young boy who discovers a girl whose tears, evoked by a sad home life, turn into pristine pearls.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fueling the protests that began over Iran’s ailing economy.—
Jon Gambrell,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fueling the protests that began over Iran’s ailing economy.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Grohl screamed, screeched and ran all around the stage, the guitars filled the arena with feedback noises, and the band hosted a temple of rock worship.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Jan. 2026
-
Residents and homeowners in Bristol have had a campaign to stop low-frequency noises from the Reworld trash incinerator.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
George Oliver Floating Fluted Nightstands There’s something about a pair of floating nightstands that just screams luxury, and this set is no exception.—
Brittney Morgan,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Kings are still in the playoff picture and the Pacific Division race, even with a season that screams mediocrity.—
Eric Stephens,
New York Times,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Trains are drowning out the coach’s voice, the wind squeals in my hearing aids.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Howls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howls. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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