Synonyms of squalls

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

• storms
• thunderstorms
• blizzards
• tempests
• hurricanes
• rainstorms
• snowstorms
• cyclones
• windstorms
• thundershowers
• cloudbursts
• hailstorms
• weathers
• northers
• typhoons
• ice storms
• sandstorms
• rainsqualls
• northeasters
• southeasters
• southwesters

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

• commotions
• disturbances
• stirs
• storms
• noises
• fusses
• hurricanes
• turmoils
• rackets
• clatters
• flurries
• fun
• rows
• coils
• tumults
• roars
• bluster
• whirls
• bustles
• zoos
• ructions
• uproars
• clutters
• rumpuses
• to-dos
• ados
• blathers
• ballyhoos
• welters
• kerfuffles
• stews
• williwaws
• ruckuses
• furores
• furors
• hooplas
• bothers
• alarums and excursions
• pothers
• moils
• hullabaloos
• eruptions
• howls
• upheavals
• foofaraws
• pandemoniums
• hubbubs
• hoo-has
• cacophonies
• shindys
• outcries
• hurlies
• hurly-burlies
• splores
• bobberies
• outbursts
• helter-skelters
• hubble-bubbles
• hurry-scurries
• outbreaks
• disorders
• dins
• dos
• brawls
• clamors
• fevers
• flutters
• scuffles
• melees
• frays
• hue and cries
• flare-ups
• tizzies
• fracases
• frets
• hassles
• lathers
• dithers

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calms
• hushes
• quiets
• peaces
• rests
• tranquilities
• orders
• quietudes

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shrieks
• squeals
• screams
• howls
• yells
• yelps
• cries
• shrills
• screeches
• wails
• squawks
• yowls
• shouts
• keens
• thunders
• bays
• caterwauls
• yawps
• hollers
• bawls
• vociferates
• calls

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• whispers
• murmurs
• mutters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of squalls

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

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

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