Synonyms of squall

squall 1 of 2

noun

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

• storm
• tempest
• thunderstorm
• blizzard
• hurricane
• weather
• rainstorm
• snowstorm
• cyclone
• windstorm
• cloudburst
• hailstorm
• typhoon
• northeaster
• thundershower
• norther
• ice storm
• sandstorm
• southeaster
• rainsquall
• southwester

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

• commotion
• disturbance
• hurry
• storm
• stir
• fuss
• hurricane
• noise
• turmoil
• racket
• clatter
• to-do
• fun
• row
• roar
• coil
• clutter
• rumpus
• tumult
• bustle
• pandemonium
• ruckus
• zoo
• blather
• pother
• hubbub
• flurry
• furore
• bluster
• ado
• shindy
• hoopla
• stew
• ballyhoo
• furor
• ruction
• uproar
• bother
• whirl
• hullabaloo
• hurly
• williwaw
• foofaraw
• welter
• moil
• hurly-burly
• kerfuffle
• helter-skelter
• hurry-scurry
• howl
• cacophony
• bobbery
• hoo-ha
• upheaval
• eruption
• hubble-bubble
• unrest
• din
• splore
• outcry
• alarums and excursions
• disorder
• outburst
• clamor
• do
• flutter
• outbreak
• brawl
• hue and cry
• fever
• scuffle
• melee
• fray
• fracas
• tizzy
• fret
• lather
• flare-up
• dither
• hassle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rest
• peace
• calm
• stillness
• hush
• quiet
• tranquility
• quietude
• order
• orderliness

squall

2 of 2

verb

ˈskwȯl 

as in to shriek

to cry out loudly and emotionally

the baby squalled in pain

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shriek
• scream
• squeal
• shrill
• yell
• howl
• screech
• cry
• yelp
• wail
• thunder
• bay
• shout
• squawk
• caterwaul
• yowl
• yawp
• holler
• keen
• bawl
• vociferate
• call

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whisper
• murmur
• mutter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of squall

Noun

The brief tornado spun up inside a squall line of thunderstorms and damaged several power poles and large limbs. — Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026

The latter, in particular, braids the bittersweet melodies of anorak-sporting vintage twee with ear-bleeding country-grunge that evokes Meat Puppets’ heaviest squalls. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 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