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

What had once been a possible squall on the horizon, another dose of unpredict-able Pacara weather, now felt like a credible threat; the clouds had begun to travel. — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 27 July 2026

Cold rain fell in an endless drizzle, broken only by harder squalls. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026

Verb

The workweek is followed by an Arctic cold front with snow showers and squalls likely late Friday before the bottom falls out once again, which brings us to the weekend. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026

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