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
Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
The larger concern, once again, were the trees alongside the trail whose roots had largely been ripped from earth and now pointed down the mountain, ready to slide given the right squall.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 July 2025
His strangled, squalling voice can make a rant about toasters sound like a cry for help.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
But the squall on the water was separate, less substantial in terms of both space and duration — and trickier to foresee, according to Colin McKellar, a meteorologist who was on duty Saturday in Reno.
—Ethan Wolin, Sacbee.com, 24 June 2025
The larger concern, once again, were the trees alongside the trail whose roots had largely been ripped from earth and now pointed down the mountain, ready to slide given the right squall.
—Grayson Haver Currin, Outside Online, 20 June 2025
Verb
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
His strangled, squalling voice can make a rant about toasters sound like a cry for help.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
-
Instead, meteorologists anticipate the storm will pass between Bermuda and North Carolina's Outer Banks.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Viktor Hovland shot a 3-under par 67 on Thursday to take the clubhouse lead before the storm.—
Bennett Conlin,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Kernodle put up a fight, and the commotion got the attention of surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
There were two other roommates in the home at the time of the killings that both survived and reported seeing the suspect and hearing commotion that night.—
Gabe Whisnant
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
-
Travelers who like to keep busy might shriek at the thought of a five-star resort without a packed schedule of activities to keep them occupied from dawn till sunset, but that's precisely the point.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Aug. 2025
-
At dark the wind shrieked across the Alsek River at about 50 knots, slamming the heavy rain horizontally.—
Jim Rearden,
Outdoor Life,
23 July 2025
Noun
-
These accoutrements saved our weekend when a late-May tempest blew across Colorado’s San Luis Valley one night.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside Online,
26 June 2025
-
People caught in the tempest discovered the limits of human control.—
Ethan Wolin
Updated July 4,
Sacbee.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Prior to Vance's arrival in the rural vacation spot, the Secret Service reportedly brought disturbances to Charlbury, a village with just 3,000 residents.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The hurricane center is also tracking two other disturbances, one in the north-central Atlantic and one just off Louisiana’s coast.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
There's just a million things available and everything's screaming at you.—
Omaid Homayun,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Noem screams, before spotting a service dog in the crowd and shooting it.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Monday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms.—
Kaycee Sloan,
The Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms.—
Grace Tucker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Multiply the potential maximum by the number of violations, and things can get big in a hurry.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
During his freshman season, Walker registered 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries in 389 snaps in 13 games.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share