squalls 1 of 2

noun

plural of squall
1
as in storms
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 commotions
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

squalls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of squall
as in shrieks
to cry out loudly and emotionally the baby squalled in pain

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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 squalls
Noun
Cold rain fell in an endless drizzle, broken only by harder squalls. — Fred Bear, Outdoor Life, 11 June 2026 The latter, in particular, braids the bittersweet melodies of anorak-sporting vintage twee with ear-bleeding country-grunge that evokes Meat Puppets’ heaviest squalls. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026 Political squalls are far easier to shrug off than Britain’s long-term economic problems. — John Stepek, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026 It’s kept me dry during surprise squalls, summer storms, and more. — Francesca Krempa, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2026 Fog rolls in off the sea, rain clouds form against the steep volcanic slopes and squalls appear without warning. — NPR, 4 Apr. 2026 These squalls can lead to sudden spinouts and chain-reaction crashes because road conditions deteriorate rapidly. — Joe Ruch, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026 Snow squalls are intense winter weather events often associated with strong cold fronts. — Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2026 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
Verb
My body went numb forging frigid rivers while hurricane-level squalls wicked moisture out of my eyes. — Mark Johanson, Outside, 14 Mar. 2026 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 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 The surges of Arctic air will generate rounds of flurries and squalls in certain locations and may assist igniting storms with more widespread snow. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 3 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squalls
  1. storms
  2. commotions
  3. shrieks
  4. thunderstorms
  5. disturbances
  6. squeals
  7. stirs
  8. screams
Noun
  • There is a slight chance of storms on Sunday afternoon, with a 15% to 25% chance of precipitation, but some forecasts call for dry conditions.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
  • In the meantime, several storms were brewing in the Pacific Ocean, including Lowell, which reached hurricane strength Tuesday morning.
    — Jamie Stengle, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of storms
Noun
  • Over the past year, men’s ski jumping has been marred by Norway’s cheating scandal and more recent genital manipulation rumors, which has become one of the early commotions of the Milano-Cortina Games.
    — Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of commotions
Verb
  • Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
    — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of shrieks
Noun
  • About 100,000 thunderstorms rumble across the United States each year, but just 10% intensify into a severe thunderstorm, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
    — Chris Dolce, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
Definition of thunderstorms
Noun
  • Estradiol transdermal patches, which deliver the estrogen hormone directly into the bloodstream, are used to ease menopause symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
    — Sriparna Roy, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sleep disturbances may also affect the body’s stress and inflammatory responses, potentially influencing digestive function.
    — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbances
Verb
  • Soto’s Marie pouts and squeals with abandon.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
  • At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding.
    — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Definition of squeals
Noun
  • Refrigerated pie crust helps this pie come together with just a few stirs of the whisk.
    — Patricia S York, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Definition of stirs
Verb
  • Brighton’s squad was fashioned in his image, and while new head coach Arturo Ruiz impressed during his time at Real Sociedad, getting to grips with a brand new team so close to the season’s beginning screams teething problems.
    — Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of screams

Browse Nearby Words

squalling
squalls
squally
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Cite this Entry

“Squalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squalls. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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