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
NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
People were making so much money, being greedy, but a squall was coming, one that could morph into a Cat 5 hurricane any minute.
—CNBC, 27 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
Fog rolls in off the sea, rain clouds form against the steep volcanic slopes and squalls appear without warning.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
People were making so much money, being greedy, but a squall was coming, one that could morph into a Cat 5 hurricane any minute.
—CNBC, 27 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
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County officials said the money would be used to repair roads, fix storm damage, maintain bridges and manage roadside vegetation.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
10 June 2026
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Both items are nice to have in Arizona, where AC units run hard through summer and monsoon storms can leave roofs in need of repair.—
Sharon Wu,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
Noun
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Then there was silence, followed by sounds of a commotion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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While most of those visitors are coming with good intentions, there’s always the possibility that bad actors will take advantage of the crowds and commotion to cause damage and inflict harm.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
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As the base runners scampered home, tying the game, Chicago players and fans alike shrieked with glee.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
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What is a better visual metaphor for being a woman in America than the sight of Patricia (Kate O’Flynn) tearing through the streets of Widow’s Bay, shrieking for help and finding none, while an out-of-shape freak stalks her and somehow manages to catch up to her?—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Noun
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One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Two teens detained in Lee’s Summit In Lee’s Summit, police spent nearly two hours breaking up a series of incidents and disturbances involving teenagers at the city’s Downtown Days festival Saturday night.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
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Oriyomi was issued a trespass warning and allegedly caused a disturbance by recording officers with his phone before leaving the airport, per court documents.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
7 June 2026
Verb
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As if each of us isn’t a walking embodiment of our moment, clueless and attuned at once, screaming about one thing and in total denial about another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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The first thing many visitors see from their airplane windows is the giant LUMEN screaming up through the Seattle gloom.—
Les Carpenter,
Washington Post,
10 June 2026
Noun
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Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 June 2026
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On July 2, 1776, Caesar Rodney rode his horse 80 miles through a thunderstorm to cast Delaware’s tie-breaking vote for independence from Great Britain.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
Noun
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Options trading in the fund has turned bearish in a hurry and is now pointing toward further downside.—
Oliver Renick,
CNBC,
10 June 2026
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Sure, there are lots of places, but all of the best ones fill up in a hurry.—
Matt Reigle OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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