YOWL Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

yowl 1 of 2

noun

Definition of yowl

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

yowl

2 of 2

verb

ˈyau̇(-ə)l

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

as in to howl

to make a long loud mournful sound coyotes yowling at the moon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 yowl

Noun

Squeeze the throttle pedal firmly to the carpet and the engine room answers with more forward thrust, the 9-speed kicking down several gears nearly instantly, and the car rushing onward with accompaniment of a classic but subtle straight six yowl. — Mark Ewing, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025 Liam sang most of the songs in his reedy yowl, all charisma with his hands pulled behind his back, head tilted up toward the sky and a parka often inexplicably zipped all the way up to his chin. — Paula Mejía, Vulture, 5 July 2025

Verb

Whatever Laura’s up to involves circles and water and whatever’s gone wrong with Oliver — and, quite possibly, her pet dog (dead and stuffed) and cat (alive and yowling through the movie). — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for yowl

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yowl

Noun

Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony.

— Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

Definition of howl

Verb

Videos on social media published last week showed empty markets in Tehran and Karaj, with sellers complaining that their fresh produce is not being bought.

— Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026
Others complained about the traffic jams and parking restrictions in the runup to the event.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of complain

Noun

Clive and Roosevelt at last heard the shouts of the others and the wild baying cry of the lead dogs, unable to bring the bear to a full bay but easily able now to keep it in sight.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
His earlier display of emotion made the song’s meaning hit even harder — and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of shout

Verb

Otherwise, there’s definitely a family-friendly element to the hotel (the whole storybook feel screams childhood), though the food options may be a little bit advanced for a kids’ palate.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026
His career numbers – 24 touchdown passes against 22 interceptions – hardly scream program savior.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of scream

Noun

Baby's cry leads Atlanta police to missing sisters Atlanta police said investigators tracked Brown to an apartment complex at 2001 Sylvan Road using cellphone information, license plate reader data and tips from the community.

— Christopher Harris, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Politicians across Europe are using the influx of deaths from this year’s historic heat waves as a rallying cry to push for fewer restrictions around new AC installation.

— Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of cry

Noun

Dawkins, an automobile aficionado himself, loved every second of the obstacle course, and even let out a shriek when the driver floored it over a hill at the end.

— Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 July 2026
Smiley slashes Mari across the belly and Fatima lets out a monstrous shriek.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of shriek

Verb

Endo is the sixth choice midfielder and someone who never moans about his place in the pecking order.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Hall wrote in his report that Hamilton lay down in the backseat of the police vehicle, moaning and not responding, prompting first responders to give him Narcan.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of moan

Browse Nearby Words

youths

yowl

yowled

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Style

“Yowl.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yowl. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of yowl

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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