1
as in to talk
to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities
that stool pigeon squealed to the police about the whole smuggling operation
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
hoped that a DVD player in the backseat would keep the kids from squealing about long car rides
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squeal
Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Dozens of Morton Grove kiddos helped to ring in the New Year about 12 hours before the calendar change, blowing noisemakers and squealing with excitement as balloons were released to celebrate the move into 2026.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
For the record, actor Henry Travers pronounces the word library in a desperate squeal.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeal
Verb
One moment that had fans squealing online was Williams’ interview with Gayle King, which included playing table hockey and a cheeky comment.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
Dozens of Morton Grove kiddos helped to ring in the New Year about 12 hours before the calendar change, blowing noisemakers and squealing with excitement as balloons were released to celebrate the move into 2026.
—Pioneer Press, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
For the record, actor Henry Travers pronounces the word library in a desperate squeal.
—Margaret Heidenry, Vanity Fair, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squeal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squeal
Verb
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Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the Senate GOP is not united on forcing Democrats to commit to a talking filibuster to pass the voter ID bill.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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But the state now publishes legislative data through a public application programming interface — essentially the tool that lets apps talk to each other.—
Matt Wing,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The cheerleaders shriek and clap loudly as the women of Sunrise run to center stage, ready to shine.—
Joanna Kakissis,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2026
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His shrieking reactions to his wife’s savagery throw into relief his good nature and her perversity.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Eleven years later, Ajo resident Bill Eltzroth complained to the county and ADEQ that the facility’s operations coated his back porch in thick black dust.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
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Unimpressed watchers took to social to complain.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This causes a blast of high-energy radiation called a gamma-ray burst (GRB), a final screech of gravitational waves, and sends out a spray of neutron-rich matter, which allows a process to occur that generates very heavy but unstable elements.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wilson led off the inning with a single that squeaked by the second baseman.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
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On Monday, those sentiments boiled over on the Senate floor, with several Republican lawmakers slamming the approach — though, ultimately, a bill to cut about $130 million from the state’s general fund this year squeaked through on an 18-17 vote.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The immaculate slouchiness of this pullover screams spring in the best way, especially when paired with a denim skirt or barrel jeans.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Hallways filled with screaming kids?—
Stephan Bisaha,
NPR,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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After months and months of ceaseless whining about the doxxing of ICE agents, there hasn’t been a single peep from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the future of facial recognition in Meta glasses.—
Sarah Jeong,
The Verge,
1 Mar. 2026
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The engine whine increases again, and the helicopter flies off, spraying us with fine powder.—
Brent Rose,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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He was missed — especially vocally — since Gill’s angelic voice does not, in any way shape or form, resemble Walsh’s charmingly out-of-pitch squawk-talk style.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
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Toy keyboard plinks and saxophone squawks spiral over a booming racket of drums in the ether, slyly threatening to collapse, like an elaborate plate-spinning act.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squeal. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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