squall
1 of 4verb (1)
ˈskwȯl 
squalled; squalling; squalls
intransitive verb
: to cry out raucously : scream
transitive verb
: to utter in a strident voice
squaller noun
squall
2 of 4noun (1)
: a raucous cry
squall
3 of 4noun (2)
1
: a sudden violent wind often with rain or snow
2
: a short-lived commotion
squall
4 of 4verb (2)
squalled; squalling; squalls
intransitive verb
: to blow a squall
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- howl
- scream
- screech
- shriek
- shrill
- squeal
- yell
- yelp
Noun (2)
- storm
- tempest
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Verb (1)
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse skval useless chatter
Noun (2)
probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Swedish skval rushing water
First Known Use
Verb (1)
circa 1631, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Noun (1)
1709, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing squall
Kids Definition
squall 1 of 3
verb
ˈskwȯl
squalled; squalling
: to let out a harsh cry or scream
… Polly began to squall and flap about in his cage …
Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
Louisa May Alcott, Little Womensquall
2 of 3noun
: a harsh cry
squall
3 of 3noun
: a sudden strong gust of wind often with rain or snow
squalls 1 of 2
noun
1
as in storms
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow) a snow squall is expected tonight Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- storms
- thunderstorms
- tempests
- blizzards
- hurricanes
- rainstorms
- snowstorms
- cloudbursts
- thundershowers
- cyclones
- windstorms
- hailstorms
- northers
- weathers
- typhoons
- ice storms
- sandstorms
- rainsqualls
- northeasters
- nor'easters
- southeasters
- southwesters
2
as in commotions
a state of noisy, confused activity the annual squall created when the store holds its biggest sale of the year Synonyms & Similar Words
- commotions
- disturbances
- storms
- stirs
- fusses
- noises
- hurricanes
- turmoils
- flurries
- rackets
- clatters
- fun
- rows
- roars
- tumults
- coils
- whirls
- bluster
- clutters
- zoos
- bustles
- ructions
- uproars
- welters
- ados
- blathers
- corroborees
- rumpuses
- stews
- ballyhoos
- bothers
- williwaws
- howls
- ruckuses
- furores
- eruptions
- furors
- kerfuffles
- upheavals
- pothers
- moils
- hullabaloos
- cacophonies
- alarums and excursions
- foofaraws
- hubbubs
- pandemoniums
- shindies
- shindys
- hoo-hahs
- outcries
- hooplas
- hoo-has
- splores
- hurlies
- bobberies
- to-dos
- hurly-burlies
- outbreaks
- helter-skelters
- outbursts
- hurry-skurries
- hurry-scurries
- do's
- disorders
- dins
- hubble-bubbles
- brawls
- fevers
- flutters
- dos
- clamors
- frays
- scuffles
- melees
- fracas
- tizzies
- frets
- fracases
- hassles
- lathers
- hue and cries
- flare-ups
- dithers
- mêlées
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- calms
- hushes
- quiets
- peaces
- tranquillities
- tranquilities
- rests
- orders
- quietudes
squalls
2 of 2verb
as in shrieks
to cry out loudly and emotionally the baby squalled in pain Synonyms & Similar Words
- shrieks
- squeals
- screams
- howls
- yelps
- shrills
- cries
- yells
- screeches
- wails
- squawks
- caterwauls
- yowls
- thunders
- yawps
- keens
- shouts
- bays
- hollers
- bawls
- yaups
- vociferates
- calls
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- whispers
- murmurs
- mutters