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
Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls can develop rapidly and will be scattered across the state.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Not because that is anybody’s intention but because our little, squalling selves are born to messy people.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
Winter weather is firmly in place across South Dakota, where heavy snow squalls can create sharp differences in accumulation.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls can develop rapidly and will be scattered across the state.
—Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
But there instead was wee Elizabeth, squalling in her arms.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Not because that is anybody’s intention but because our little, squalling selves are born to messy people.
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
-
While parts of the state were hammered by Monday’s blizzard, snowfall totals in Boston were below the two feet that fell in late January’s massive storm.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
-
If this week’s snow storm in the Northeast is any indication, winter isn’t over yet, so plan for plenty of layering over the weeks ahead.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Subscribe to Stocks @ Night today and see what the commotion will be about tomorrow.—
,
CNBC,
26 Feb. 2026
-
My husband heard the commotion and hollered at me for yelling at his sister.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The shrieking young women are hilarious, as are their hairdos.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
What started as a joyous snowball fight Monday in New York City morphed into a political tempest after residents began pelting police officers with snow and ice.—
Tim Craig,
Washington Post,
24 Feb. 2026
-
The catalyst of the looming tempest is the Morton Amphitheater, which will open this summer in Riverside with 30 or more concerts already on the schedule.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Before Cassini’s mission, astronomers believed that gravitational disturbances inflicted by neighbor Neptune’s orbit caused Saturn’s tilt over time.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
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This would have allowed a pilot to keep flying for hours, without disturbances.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the nation bonded as one over the past two weeks biting nails, screaming at wins, wincing at crashes and choking up at all the beautiful moments of Olympic competition, another group of athletes were – and still are – out honing their multi-level championship skills.—
Moira McCarthy,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Nothing screams elegance quite like a french bob.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Andrea gets up and hurries across the street, catching the doctor at the clinic entrance.—
Rodrigo Hasbún,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Vrabel and Josh McDaniels weren’t in a hurry to give him a starting spot as a slot receiver.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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