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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of howls
The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
The screams, the reason everyone assembles, when the screams come, after a few collective inhales and exhales and a moment to gather one’s thoughts, the screams come like long guttural howls.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
-
Her wails make Davina recall her own confinement, where she was treated similarly awfully and responded by cursing the women in the room.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
-
An ambulance siren wails past, coming up from the river.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The request drew audible groans and shouts from other members.—
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
There were shouts and even a near miss from a water pistol.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For decades, the mighty roars of dinosaurs have thundered through movies, TV shows, and filled the imaginations of children and adults alike.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Washington delivers the dialogue with a thrilling range from purrs to roars, all imbued with an authoritative swagger.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Click the video below to see a sweet brotherly reunion filled with the kind of hug that comes with happy tears and pure joy.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This test evaluates the quantity and quality of your tears to diagnose dry eye syndrome.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The dog's cries pierced people's hearts, and as of Thursday, the TikTok video reached over 278,000 views and 40,300 likes.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
-
All of the killings happened within 7 miles across two grazing allotments, and range riders and shepherds reported hearing wolf cries in the area on several occasions.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But if hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or plane hums keep you from getting some shut-eye, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Sep. 2025
-
That determination was on full display in the viral post, where the pup made its feelings abundantly clear through a chorus of noises that blended protest with performance.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Rather than let his boy be torn apart by terrible creatures in the mist, David uses a gun to mercy-kill them all and screams in anguish because there isn't a bullet left for him.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Mom screams like a rabid animal.—
Dr. Sue Varma,
CNBC,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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 17 Sep. 2025.
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