squall 1 of 2

noun

Definition of squallnext
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

squall

2 of 2

verb

ˈskwȯl How to pronounce squall (audio)
as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally the baby squalled in pain

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
Noun
Both schooners sank around the time of strong squalls, though the exact cause of the sinkings has not been fully determined. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 But in the squall of war, Etna’s talents also beget inexorable demands. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 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 See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
  1. storm
  2. commotion
  3. shriek
  4. tempest
  5. disturbance
  6. scream
  7. thunderstorm
  8. hurry
Noun
  • Buckley said the Learjet captain was likely trying to get around or fly above the storm system, exceeding the safe speeds and altitudes of the plane.
    — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The greatest concern is across northwest Texas and farther north into Oklahoma and Kansas, where storms could first develop along an eastward-moving dryline Monday evening.
    — Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of storm
Noun
  • For trick-or-treating, the department warned that small children may be afraid of dogs, while dogs themselves may be afraid of all the commotion with gaggles of kids coming to the door.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • In the commotion, she was briefly separated from her 85-year-old mother, who lives with her.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • Twenty minutes later my bleep shrieked at me from my lapel, and I was given my very first job as a junior doctor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • When the humor shifted abruptly from shrieking and pratfalls to more subtle witticism, the audience was fine with that as long as things stayed light, funny and uncomplicated.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of shriek
Noun
  • Something similar must also occur amid the virtual tempest of higher temperatures.
    — Sven Badoux, New Atlas, 23 Oct. 2026
  • We’re told that Robert tried to swim after his parents in the middle of a tempest while holding his war hammer.
    — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of tempest
Noun
  • Ars has previously looked at how this X-plane program is intended to support the design of future supersonic airliners that may fly overland while minimizing disturbances for buildings and people below.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Atmospheric disturbances recorded during the launch suggested the rocket may have punched a hole in Earth’s ionosphere, according to a study by researchers at Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University.
    — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of disturbance
Verb
  • Upon arriving at Bottiglierivega's door, a police sergeant heard screaming and spotted blood nearby.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Officers arrived at the scene and found people screaming as a man was lying in the street, suffering from gunshot wounds.
    — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • While the plane was near Florida’s Gulf Coast, less than 20 minutes before the crash, an air traffic controller warned that the turn they’d requested toward the Bahamas could take them into a thunderstorm.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Neither Monville nor Chapman could say whether the jet flew through an active thunderstorm prior to the aircraft's rapid descent and crash.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • The Tigers only had six QB hurries, partly due to Jackson escaping the pocket and firing balls out quickly.
    — PJ Green November 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Defensive tackle Will Echoles consistently disrupted the Missouri offensive front for five tackles, two broken up passes, one sack and one quarterback hurry.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hurry

Browse Nearby Words

squalidness
squall
squalled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on squall

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squall

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of wabi-sabi

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All