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
Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
The forecast called for one to three inches, another confetti squall to blow through Mohegan Sun Arena.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
Some squall lines can produce tornadoes, too.
—Matthew Cappucci, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
The forecast called for one to three inches, another confetti squall to blow through Mohegan Sun Arena.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
Unlike longer-lasting snowstorms, squalls move fast and can catch drivers off guard, especially when roads appear mostly clear just moments before conditions deteriorate.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
-
The chance for showers and storms slowly returns on Monday and becomes more likely by Tuesday.—
Michael Autovino,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Since 1850, only one storm, Hurricane Audrey in 1957, came close, making landfall in southwest Louisiana during a moderate El Niño.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The commotion awakened the victim’s mother, who rushed in, causing the suspect to burst out of the home and flee, authorities said.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Earlier, Kahramanmaras Governor Mukerrem Unluer had said the shooter had shot and killed himself in the commotion.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Motta’s mother shrieked and appeared to faint, collapsing on the ground.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Less than 10 minutes later, that same fan is running down the street with others, shrieking and holding up their photos and signed papers in triumph.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For now, Buttigieg has chosen to wait out the tempests in Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten, a former schoolteacher.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
-
What started as a joyous snowball fight Monday in New York City morphed into a political tempest after residents began pelting police officers with snow and ice.—
Tim Craig,
Washington Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Two police officers were injured over the weekend while arresting a man in a domestic disturbance in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
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On Wednesday, a Miami Herald inquiry showed that officers were called to the home six times from August 2023 to April 2026 for a disturbance, grand theft, animal bite and investigation codes, with the last call being when her body was found, according to Coral Springs police records.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her screaming grounder to short caromed into left field and sent home Albon, who had singled and stole second.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Sandra Bullock asked a screaming crowd at CinemaCon on Tuesday, staring at Nicole Kidman.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Camping in an open setting during a thunderstorm is strongly discouraged.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
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If the ping-pong balls bounce its way, the chance to draft AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson or Cameron Boozer would change the temperature of the rebuild in a hurry.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
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Yazbek’s shot from outside the 18-yard box deflected off Charlotte’s Tim Ream and past goalie Kristijan Kahlina, putting the pressure on Charlotte to find a rhythm on offense in a hurry.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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