1
as in wails
a crying out in grief
we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shouts
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion
heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in roars
a violent shouting
the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call
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1
2
as in screams
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of howls
Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026
United Methodist leadership with the bishop’s office preached to students, who welcomed the leaders with excited howls.
—Liam Adams, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
The long recess has drawn howls of protest from Democratic leaders, who have returned to Washington to demand negotiations that might lead to a bipartisan spending bill that could reopen the government.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025
More importantly, the most recent of these sightings, just two years ago, was by a railroad passenger, so keep a lookout for a tall, hairy figure, or for massive footprints, which are also commonly reported, and listen for the mysterious creature’s spine-tingling howls.
—The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Wind howls as one of the daughters' body rocks on a gurney, her family lighting candles as a rabbi screams scripture with water crashing in a nearby tub.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Well, a University of Texas at Arlington researcher is aiming to turn barks, howls and whimpers of man’s best friend into intelligible speech — a kind of Rosetta Stone of woof.
—Miriam Fauzia, Boston Herald, 12 Oct. 2025
The ugly episode drew howls from those lawmakers in both parties who are calling to tone down the hostilities and focus on legislating, not seeking attention on social media.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 13 Sep. 2025
The screams, the reason everyone assembles, when the screams come, after a few collective inhales and exhales and a moment to gather one’s thoughts, the screams come like long guttural howls.
—Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
The year's first full moon is best known as the wolf moon since the howls of wolves were more likely to be heard during winter, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
—Verb
Held in May of last year, the dinner saw walkouts and howls of dissent as Ari Emanuel tore into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what the super-agent saw as an overkill response to the October 7 attacks.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
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The ear-splitting wails came from a little girl trying to get the star’s attention.—
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People judge others for the precise pitch of their wails.—
Noun
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There would be no third consecutive title, no hoisting of the championship cup over heads, no giddy laughter or shouts of joy.—
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Other shouts will inevitably go out to The Strawberry next door to Newcastle United or The Colliery Tavern beside Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.—
Noun
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The people want to see Varang’s fierce roars!—
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White then nailed a step back 3, drawing more roars, and Jones hit a reverse layup.—
Noun
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Christopher Patterson's mother held back tears as his family and friends gathered on Friday outside the home where the 23-year-old lost his life two days before.—
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Narrated by Colm Feore and James Hyndman in the English and French versions of the movie, respectively, the 17-minute stop-motion short follows a poor young boy who discovers a girl whose tears, evoked by a sad home life, turn into pristine pearls.—
Noun
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Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fueling the protests that began over Iran’s ailing economy.—
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Demonstrations have included cries in support of the shah, something that could bring a death sentence in the past but now underlines the anger fueling the protests that began over Iran’s ailing economy.—
Noun
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Soft-close cabinetry is another staple of 2026 kitchen design, according to the report, a trait that not only aids durability but also prevents jarring noises.—
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Turns out, those crystal bowls and milk glass dishes—both of which made ample clinking noises—were perfect for alerting grandma that little ones were snagging candy before dinner.—
Verb
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Left to die, breathless and alone, Invisigal chokes while Robert screams from the other end of the comms.—
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That stretch screams points, and the wise move might be to start planning your route to Salah.—
Verb
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Trains are drowning out the coach’s voice, the wind squeals in my hearing aids.—
Cite this Entry
“Howls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howls. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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