as in vocal
engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest
the PTA meeting was filled with squawking parents, voicing their dislike of the new vice-principal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in complaining
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 squawking
ABC News, 30 May 2026
Around the museum, children can be heard squawking through a flight simulator of a UPS Boeing 747-8F to a pretend command tower learning to leverage flight technology.
—Olivia Evans, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The squawking plaything can test even Bluey’s patience.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
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
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
One way transponders do that is by squawking, or sending a code to air traffic control to identify itself and provide information, like altitude.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
On a cool autumn morning in what used to be a bustling neighborhood, the only sounds came from squawking finches and juncos – not quite a rising phoenix.
—Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Verb
On a recent day, a flock of some 30 were perched in the distance — scattering when a pair of squawking oystercatchers alerted them to visitors.
—ABC News, 30 May 2026
Around the museum, children can be heard squawking through a flight simulator of a UPS Boeing 747-8F to a pretend command tower learning to leverage flight technology.
—Olivia Evans, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
The squawking plaything can test even Bluey’s patience.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2026
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
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
One way transponders do that is by squawking, or sending a code to air traffic control to identify itself and provide information, like altitude.
—Mirna Alsharif, NBC news, 15 Dec. 2025
On a cool autumn morning in what used to be a bustling neighborhood, the only sounds came from squawking finches and juncos – not quite a rising phoenix.
—Cheri Mossburg, CNN Money, 26 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squawking
Adjective
-
The screams, contortions and vocal shifts were made without CGI or artificial intelligence, and that detail is its own form of campaign currency in an era when audiences and voters alike are increasingly skeptical of digital enhancement.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
15 June 2026
-
Instead, Nowell roots the band’s sound in the mid-’90s and keeps his vocal mannerisms as close to Bradley’s as possible.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
The amplifying of complaining subcontractors, always easy to find.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
-
But many Spotify users voiced displeasure at the change-up, with some complaining that the disco ball looked pixelated on a small phone screen and, generally, was visually displeasing.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Adjective
-
The Catholic Church has long been outspoken against war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
9 June 2026
-
Brittany Elkin, a Gaston County native and parent to two GCS students, has become an outspoken advocate for more school funding in recent months.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
As if each of us isn’t a walking embodiment of our moment, clueless and attuned at once, screaming about one thing and in total denial about another.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
There were the arrests of tearful and screaming immigrants, captured on video and played on endless loops across social media.—
Moriah Balingit,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
Refs opted to disregard the blatant flagrant foul and the usually stoic Brunson erupted, chasing after the officials before turning on his heel in a fury and returning to the bench.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Nonetheless, the painting doesn’t have any blatant Nazi references.—
Margherita Bassi,
Popular Science,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Well, certainly a lot of whining about technology.—
Inga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
-
The driver is seen singing happily to himself, then glancing out his window with a slight look of concern as the sound of the jet’s whining engines begins on the recording.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs also elicited vociferous boos.—
Stephen Whyno,
Fortune,
9 June 2026
-
Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs also elicited vociferous boos.—
Stephen Whyno,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The process left Carruthers bleeding and moaning on May 21, according to the witness, Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union's Capital Punishment Project.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
The stuff with a load of people wearing wigs moaning about taxes just isn’t seen as very glamorous.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squawking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squawking. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
