croak 1 of 2

verb

ˈkrōk How to pronounce croak (audio)
Definition of croaknext
1
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely the cranky patient was always croaking to the nurses about something

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2
as in to die
slang to stop living I wouldn't go around saying your great-grandmother "croaked"

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3
as in to kill
slang to deprive of life "I croaked the old bugger," he bragged

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4
as in to assassinate
slang to put to death deliberately hooligans had croaked the street corner wino just for the hell of it

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croak

2 of 2

noun

as in squawk

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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 croak
Verb
Participants will be trained to learn the chirps and croaks of various local frog and toad species, then commit to going out to a particular piece of the watershed near their homes a couple of nights per month to listen for the frogs and toads and record their absence or presence. — Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 13 Feb. 2026 Ravens circle overhead, croaking at my presence in defiance. — Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
The men stood frowning at each other and then back at Adi until the one without the gun broke into croaks of laughter. — Jonathan Miles, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 His gravelly croak sounds melodic but grave. — Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for croak
Recent Examples of Synonyms for croak
  1. complain
  2. die
  3. kill
  4. assassinate
  5. squawk
  6. scream
  7. perish
  8. destroy
Verb
  • The sport is now on TV every night of the week these days—and unlike some traditionalists, football-loving families aren’t complaining.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Undermining an alliance Coupang is not the first American company to complain of targeting by South Korean regulators.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of complain
Verb
  • Last month, the family of Christopher Hawley, who died after a ride in 2022, reached a settlement with the park and with ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide Inc, said KTLA.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Knight was wounded but survived the attack, while Shakur was struck multiple times and died six days later at age 25.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of die
Verb
  • The portable machine uses pulses of full-spectrum ultraviolet light to kill infectious germs inside hospital rooms.
    — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy is a Massachusetts woman who has been on trial for killing her three children and attempting to take her own life in 2023.
    — Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of kill
Verb
  • Tyler Robinson, the man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk, will stand trial after a Utah judge ruled Tuesday that prosecutors presented enough evidence to move forward on all seven charges against him.
    — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • After Kirk was assassinated, the Congressional Black Caucus put out a statement condemning political violence.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of assassinate
Noun
  • For aviation geeks or those who simply want to keep track of their plane’s unique flying data and route, squawk codes can be tracked on apps and websites like Flightradar24 and Flight Beacon.
    — Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2026
  • Air traffic control at Heathrow cleared the flight for a priority return after the pilots issued a squawk 7700 — the code for a general emergency.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026
Definition of squawk
Verb
  • There's a 50% chance the drivers in this photo are screaming.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Baltimore is an even 69-69 after Cowser’s heroics, and though that record doesn’t usually scream postseason bound at this time of year, the American League hasn’t been as strong as years past.
    — Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • This was a simpler and more secure replacement, though the elastic did tend to perish rather quickly in wet or tropical conditions.
    — David Szondy August 30, New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Airport officials had earlier said one employee had perished, with six workers infected.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of perish
Verb
  • In 2025, Ukraine smuggled over 100 drones into Russia inside cargo trucks to conduct strikes that damaged or destroyed roughly one-third of Russia’s active bomber fleet and caused approximately $7 billion in damages.
    — Seth G. Jones, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Some 36,000 houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged, and more than 2,000 people are still living in evacuation centers, including school gymnasiums and community centers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of destroy

Browse Nearby Words

critters
croak
croaked
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Cite this Entry

“Croak.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/croak. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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