squall 1 of 2

noun

Definition of squallnext
1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a snow squall is expected tonight

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2
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity the annual squall created when the store holds its biggest sale of the year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

squall

2 of 2

verb

ˈskwȯl How to pronounce squall (audio)
as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally the baby squalled in pain

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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 squall
Noun
The latter, in particular, braids the bittersweet melodies of anorak-sporting vintage twee with ear-bleeding country-grunge that evokes Meat Puppets’ heaviest squalls. — Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 1 May 2026 According to the National Weather Service, a large squall line developed overnight between April 26 to April 27 in Missouri, and began moving east into central Illinois. — Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
Unlike longer-lasting snowstorms, squalls move fast and can catch drivers off guard, especially when roads appear mostly clear just moments before conditions deteriorate. — Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026 Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
  1. storm
  2. commotion
  3. shriek
  4. tempest
  5. disturbance
  6. scream
  7. thunderstorm
  8. hurry
Noun
  • The storm is forecast to bring flooding rain, strong winds, storm surge, and possible tornadoes to the region.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Late one August afternoon in a Manhattan editing suite, with thunder and lightning raging outside, a storm was also brewing inside.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of storm
Noun
  • The Canadian singer caused a commotion with her ensemble, showing off a head-to-toe Alaïa ensemble from the upcoming Archetypes spring 2027 collection.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2026
  • There was no illness or injury, Krauss said, but the dog seemed ready to step away from the crowds and commotion.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of commotion
Verb
  • The addition of the electric guitar, drums and Jack White’s shrieking vocals transformed it into a rock song, while also keeping its signature folksiness.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The other customers cowered in the corners, while crowds formed at the windows outside, shrieking and recording the scene on their phones.
    — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
Definition of shriek
Noun
  • Although Congress doesn’t pass many laws these days, the White House has been a furious tempest of executive orders.
    — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The ongoing tempest includes Camille Sims (Alexandria Riley) having to prevent a Safeguard extermination as the new Head of IT this year, and the revelation of ex-security chief Robert Sims (Common) regarding Bernard (Tim Robbins).
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of tempest
Noun
  • Estradiol transdermal patches, which deliver the estrogen hormone directly into the bloodstream, are used to ease menopause symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes and sleep disturbances.
    — Sriparna Roy, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As if a million white collar workers suddenly cried out in terror at once, a great disturbance in the AI force forced down every major AI chatbot service — a brief moment of reprieve from our AI empire overlords.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of disturbance
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
Noun
  • Sunday is trending drier now with just a stray afternoon shower or thunderstorm.
    — Steven Sosna, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • This thunderstorm is producing an excessive amount of deadly cloud to ground lightning.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of thunderstorm
Noun
  • In hurry-and-scurry mode, Katalyst built a robotic spacecraft called LINK, which launched on July 3 to meet up with Swift and haul it to a higher orbit.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • No matter your hurry, overloading your washing machine will produce a headache of a different sort (and might even cost you more money).
    — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of hurry

Browse Nearby Words

squalidness
squall
squalled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on squall

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squall

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