1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow)
a snow squall is expected tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the annual squall created when the store holds its biggest sale of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squall
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
While flying over southeast Ohio, the Shenandoah encountered a powerful squall line that tore the airship apart.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
The tightrope walk to the summit is scored by the crunching of rocks beneath my boots, seabirds circling and squalling overhead, and the wind mercilessly lashing my face.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
The surges of Arctic air will generate rounds of flurries and squalls in some locations and may assist in creating storms with more widespread snow.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 4 Dec. 2025
While flying over southeast Ohio, the Shenandoah encountered a powerful squall line that tore the airship apart.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
Not because that is anybody’s intention but because our little, squalling selves are born to messy people.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
The tightrope walk to the summit is scored by the crunching of rocks beneath my boots, seabirds circling and squalling overhead, and the wind mercilessly lashing my face.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
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There is potential for a coastal storm Thursday and or Friday, but confidence is low.—
Andrew Kozak,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
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There’s roughly two and a half months left of the winter season, which means that there are plenty of chilly evenings, snow storms, and freeze warnings to look forward to.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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During the commotion, the agent’s shaky cellphone video shows houses along the street and views of the sky.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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In the heat of the moment, though, Certa was clearly walking after one of the officials, but Shrewsberry came barreling in as the official turned around to see the commotion.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
3 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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This seems to me as offensive to rationality as a saint shrieking into the air.—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
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This gripping page-turner — featuring a decades-old murder, a writer in town to tell the real story and an oncoming tempest — feels like it was ripped from the juiciest headlines.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
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While the idea of a one-time tax on more than 200 people has a long way to go before getting onto the ballot and would need to be passed by voters in November, the tempest around it captures the zeitgeist of angst and anger at the core of California.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In 2021, the California Coastal Commission said the display should be moved from La Jolla Cove, citing potential disturbance of sea lions at Point La Jolla and a failure of organizers to secure necessary permitting in time.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
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Fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, appetite changes and social withdrawal are also red flags, in addition to thoughts about dying or suicidal ideations.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Even Liz and Prue, half sisters whose relationship had been punctuated by epic screaming fights, found common ground.—
Gabriel Sherman,
Vanity Fair,
14 Jan. 2026
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Emotions spilled over in the public gallery when the sister of one of the teachers killed screamed out.—
Matthew J. Friedman,
CNN Money,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Multiple tornado warnings hit Oklahoma early Thursday as a line of severe thunderstorm systems moved in.—
Cheyenne Derksen,
Oklahoman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Earlier in the afternoon, the weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warnings for areas north of the metro, but those warnings have since expired.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Throwing Useful Items Away Don't be in such a hurry that your possessions needlessly end up in the landfill.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2026
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The Illini also added Colorado State linebacker Robert Edmonson, who had 49 tackles, four tackles for a loss, a sack, an interception and six quarterback hurries in 2025.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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