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
Relevance
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of squall
Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024
In 1892, a massive steel steamer, considered an engineering marvel of its time and revered for its speed and safety, got caught in a squall in the middle of Lake Superior and vanished.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
Expect power outages around Indiana AES Indiana said with the potential for 40 mph wind gusts happening during the squalls, some customers may experience power outages.
—Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024
In 1892, a massive steel steamer, considered an engineering marvel of its time and revered for its speed and safety, got caught in a squall in the middle of Lake Superior and vanished.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
Snow squall safety tips NWS offers the following snow squall warning safety tips:
Avoid or delay motor vehicle travel until the snow squall warning passes.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 May 2025
-
An intelligent outbound messaging feature allows proactive communication during events like storms or routine billing cycles.—
Gene Marks,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
Noun
-
Chateau Elan’s allure may come from its stunning grounds and impressive wine roster, but there’s a creative commotion happening in the kitchens.—
Rai Mincey,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
An employee at a Mercedes-Benz overflow lot, who did not want to be named, heard the rapid gunfire and raced to the commotion to see what was going on.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
His ability to be believable as both a laconic grump and a hysterically shrieking interrogator helps add some emotional grounding to Havoc, which otherwise indulges in Evans’s more-is-more-is-more ideology.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Dawn fights off the ghost, bleeding and shrieking into the void, pouring her heart into the battle.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Even Fox News, known for finding even the tiniest silver lining in any Trump tempest, offered little relief to the president’s MAGA supporters in light of recent polls.—
Clarence Page,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2025
-
He’s stepped into a tempest of a football club that has become known more for its ability to generate off-field drama rather than top footballing performances.—
Carl Anka,
The Athletic,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
On a random note: Long before those assignments, Chuck was pepper-sprayed covering the disturbances in Miami the morning Elián Gonzalez was whisked away by federal authorities.—
Charles Rabin,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2025
-
There isn’t much built in to withstand those kinds of disturbances or fluctuations.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
9 May 2025
Verb
-
People could be heard screaming and crying in the video, which appeared to show several people injured on the ground and baggage strewn about, as first responders attended to the scene.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
-
Her lawyers and family members also celebrated by screaming and hugging each other, per a video from the courtroom.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2025
-
In addition to heavy rain, severe thunderstorms also are posing a threat across Oklahoma, accompanied by the potential for tornados.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
And given how hitters react to seeing meatballs, those extra ones add up in a hurry.—
Aaron Gleeman,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
-
Andor finds his body, but the three of them have to leave in a hurry.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share