as in whine
an expression of dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment
if we don't receive any squawks, we can assume the change was acceptable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
she squawked on for hours about how salespeople were always rude to her
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 squawk
Henry Alford, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Outside, seagulls squawk; a crane lifts sand and plops it on a boat.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump squawked and mused about firing Powell.
—Roger Lowenstein, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squawk
Noun
Yet, leading up to the show, the squawks from the models sounded more like practical concerns than diva demands.
—Henry Alford, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Outside, seagulls squawk; a crane lifts sand and plops it on a boat.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Some environmentalists are squawking, however, because the iconic wood stork will soon lose its federal protection, arguing climate change and environmental policy rollbacks continue to threaten its wetland habitat.
—Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Trump squawked and mused about firing Powell.
—Roger Lowenstein, The Atlantic, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squawk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squawk
Noun
-
Both motors stay at or below 45 dBA even at full power, something that will genuinely surprise anyone used to the whine of current-generation motors.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 10,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The whine from that straight-cut gearbox alone is painfully loud, say nothing of the wide-open exhaust on the 4.0 L flat-six.—
Tim Stevens,
ArsTechnica,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For years, critics of San Diego’s and California’s approaches have complained that millions and billions, respectively, have been spent to reduce homelessness, yet things just kept getting worse.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
-
According to state records, the Board of Pharmacy had referred the matter to the Board of Medicine after a patient of Hartsuch’s complained that his pharmacist refused to fill the physician’s prescription for ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Where my world was hemmed in by ridgelines and holler roads, Mary Lennox’s world was hemmed in by fog and wind and the low moan of a manor house that seemed to breathe on its own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Under Hiller, the Kings went into the Olympic break with a whimper and came out of it with a moan.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Her screaming grounder to short caromed into left field and sent home Albon, who had singled and stole second.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Sandra Bullock asked a screaming crowd at CinemaCon on Tuesday, staring at Nicole Kidman.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The House also approved legislation to speed the slow-moving process for harassment complaints, require more disclosure of settlements and force lawmakers to personally pay any penalties they’re required to make.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
After the flight crew allegedly requested an onboard doctor, a physician-passenger advised that due to the severity of the burns and their proximity to her genitals, AC should be transported to an urgent care facility as soon as possible, the complaint says.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Even some women don’t see what all the fuss is about.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That is when businesses need employees with the training and experience to resolve potentially problematic interactions with as little fuss and drama as possible.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squawk. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
