as in howl
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion
the cat gave a yowl of anger
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely
a bitterly cold winter that had people yowling about their heating bills
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of yowl
Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
In the video, Shona—a Rhodesian ridgeback—sits in the back seat, letting out an intense yowl and staring fixedly out the window at something her owner couldn't see.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
How to get your cat to stop meowing Some breeds, like Siamese cats, meow and yowl more than others.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for yowl
Noun
Some hockey teams have incorporated sound effects into their celebratory goal-horn noise—a cannon blast for the Columbus Blue Jackets, a cat’s yowl for the Florida Panthers.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
In the video, Shona—a Rhodesian ridgeback—sits in the back seat, letting out an intense yowl and staring fixedly out the window at something her owner couldn't see.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
In the clip, Mees opens the door for the yowling Crush, who quickly paws inside and jumps up on a side table next to Cora's crib.
—Kelli Bender, People.com, 21 Mar. 2025
How to get your cat to stop meowing Some breeds, like Siamese cats, meow and yowl more than others.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for yowl
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yowl
Noun
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Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.—
Mark Richardson,
Pitchfork,
3 Feb. 2026
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At about two this morning, the familiar howl of air-raid sirens woke me in the center of Kyiv, followed by the low thuds of anti-aircraft cannons attempting to shoot down Russian drones.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Much of this isn't included in Fennell's version, and early on, many complained the movie seemed to romanticize the abuse in the book.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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Dieppa said a nearby daycare complained of cat waste.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Robbins heard a shout from one of his deputies, who directed the others’ attention down a slope about ten yards from the plateau.—
Scott Eden,
Rolling Stone,
1 Feb. 2026
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That the trio’s affection often expresses itself in frustrated shouts, sighed exasperation or muted defeat, has become part of the bargain for 38-year-old Anna, who takes care of and is cared for by her parents (Victor Slezak as Dad and Marceline Hugot as Mom).—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The work that doesn’t scream the loudest internally but decides who wins externally.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Vonn was heard screaming in pain while lying in the snow before she was airlifted off the course.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
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Joe’s voice rose to a shrill cry.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But students who are spending their time protesting, whining about the grading system and seeking easy classes don’t seem to fit that mold.—
Mitch Zimmer,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
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The children jumped for joy after winning a game of cornhole; others fell and whined in defeat, but got up to play again.—
Christopher Buchanan,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Certain big tackles, hopeful shots and fouls draw the odd reactive shriek, but this is a group that has come to sing for 90 minutes off the same hymn sheet.—
Theo Lloyd-Hughes,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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McEntire shrieks between laughs, gesturing to the photographer.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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While Slot was moaning about having to play two away matches in four days (and about missing a couple of key players), Emery, also without important figures such as Boubacar Kamara, was overseeing his Villa side playing the same tough schedule and win both games without conceding a goal.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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The austerity gives her plenty of room to writhe, mug, and moan between occasional shots of an inflatable Martian and a tropical-looking Tiffany lamp.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Yowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yowl. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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