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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
Noun
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
On at least three occasions, one or more protesters interrupted the discussion with shouts from the balcony and floor seats, demanding Newsom do something about privatized prisons and the ICE sweeps of immigrants.—
Lorraine Ali,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Several shouts were audible during the first part of the ceremony, although what was said wasn’t intelligible to an Associated Press reporter in the press room.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Could Jacob Bridgeman hear the roars for Rory McIlroy’s 30-foot make and still finish?—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The roars were back at the Riv on Thursday … and so was the rain.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Whale’s picture, the bride doesn’t talk — only screams or hisses like an irritated cat — and is brought to life 5 minutes before the credits roll.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The picture with a bald eagle might be photoshopped, but the image screams America, right?—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ford fought back tears, thanking his fellow actors, writers and directors.—
Itzel Luna,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Once the tears start flowing, your nervous system’s relaxation response can start to kick in.—
Carolyn L. Todd,
SELF,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Apparently hearing her mother’s cries, 11-year-old Duong came into the bedroom, the prosecutor added.—
Sean Emery,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Grandma and grandpa may mean well, but some of their parenting styles are no longer recommended based on years of research—like ignoring your baby’s cries or forcing a school-age child clean their plate at dinner.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With a funky groove, ‘80s synthesizer stabs, party noises and a put-your-hands-in-the-air-wooo!—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Speaking in a confessional, the mom-of-six commented on the fact that her daughter Kylie thinks her home is being haunted by a ghost because of loud banging noises.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Howls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howls. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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