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
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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
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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
Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
You are brought to your senses, this time by squawking and the rapid beating of wings.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 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
The filmmaker shows a strong handle over the film’s fanciful tone and fitfully filthy sense of humor, and he’s credited with composing the film’s score full of squawking brass instruments and skittish strings in addition to writing, directing and editing.
—Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
You are brought to your senses, this time by squawking and the rapid beating of wings.
—Addie Citchens, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for squawk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squawk
Noun
-
Lee's voice has always been Sui generis, a distinctive instrument caught between a whine and a yelp yet immediately recognizable.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
The guilt of a stack of unread books is a low constant whine at the back of your head.—
Philip Maymin,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
Verb
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The move was met with outrage, with fans criticizing the singer for jumping the gun and complaining that the weather had cleared up before becoming too serious.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 June 2026
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Leo is expected to meet survivors while in Spain, but several victims groups have complained that they have been left in the dark about when the meeting is taking place and whether they are invited.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
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The child’s eyes were swollen and milky, their mouth agape in a silent moan.—
Taran Dugal,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
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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
Verb
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On the witness stand, the teenager was reportedly combative and flustered by Jackson’s attorney Tom Mesereau, who attempted to poke holes in Gavin’s testimony and allegedly screamed at the boy throughout.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
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Jay practically embarrassed Mase, then a pop rapper at Bad Boy Records, not by screaming but by sounding amused.—
Jayson Buford,
Rolling Stone,
3 June 2026
Noun
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No complaints about the strong, free Wi-Fi.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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And the White House has required VA officials and advocates to sign NDAs about construction on campus, drawing bipartisan complaints from Congress.—
Quil Lawrence,
NPR,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Reviewers say assembly is also quick and easy—a major plus for those who value style without the fuss.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
1 June 2026
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Once people knew what the fuss was about, however, the crowds swiftly dried up, and most reviews were mixed.—
Isaac Butler,
New Yorker,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squawk. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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