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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3
as in roars
a violent shouting
the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of howls
Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
The Wolf Moon name dates back to Indigenous and early Anglo-Saxon traditions, inspired by the winter wolves whose howls echoed across cold January nights.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026
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.
—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
Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The wind howls, and the sound of the runners grinding over the ice is surprisingly loud.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026
Hip holidaying friends, those who don’t want to share their trip with babies’ howls, and golfers looking for an element of cool (guests have access to all the facilities at the other Costa Navarino hotels such as golf courses and the Mouratoglou tennis academy).
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Listening to Alan Vega, these rockers’ influence on his signature howls and croons becomes obvious.
—Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
From the booth, Lyons Township announcer Aidan Brandstedt howls, overcome with excitement.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Those howls in the moors are literature fans fighting over whether this reimagining of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic romance will be confoundingly misguided or bodice-rippingly good.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Those four cylinders aren’t missed; the Bentayga Speed positively screams and howls, especially if equipped with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
Aquilla Sadalla’s wordless vocals, a gorgeous swell of howls and heaves, complement the arrangement without becoming the focal point.
—Mark Richardson, Pitchfork, 3 Feb. 2026
The Wolf Moon name dates back to Indigenous and early Anglo-Saxon traditions, inspired by the winter wolves whose howls echoed across cold January nights.
—Doug Melville, Forbes.com, 3 Jan. 2026
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.
—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
Verb
At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby.
—Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
The wind howls, and the sound of the runners grinding over the ice is surprisingly loud.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026
Hip holidaying friends, those who don’t want to share their trip with babies’ howls, and golfers looking for an element of cool (guests have access to all the facilities at the other Costa Navarino hotels such as golf courses and the Mouratoglou tennis academy).
—Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Listening to Alan Vega, these rockers’ influence on his signature howls and croons becomes obvious.
—Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026
From the booth, Lyons Township announcer Aidan Brandstedt howls, overcome with excitement.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Those howls in the moors are literature fans fighting over whether this reimagining of Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic romance will be confoundingly misguided or bodice-rippingly good.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026
Those four cylinders aren’t missed; the Bentayga Speed positively screams and howls, especially if equipped with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2025
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
-
The album’s Bandcamp blurb shouts out Ghédalia Tarzatès, the late French composer who collaged his wails and lamentations in the endangered Ladino language to evoke pangs of existential angst.—
H.D. Angel,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In some, relatives are seen walking among the black bags, trying to identify the deceased, as wails and screams fill the background.—
Molly Hunter,
NBC news,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That the trio’s affection often expresses itself in frustrated shouts, sighed exasperation or muted defeat, has become part of the bargain for 38-year-old Anna, who takes care of and is cared for by her parents (Victor Slezak as Dad and Marceline Hugot as Mom).—
Lisa Kennedy,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Buena Park girls basketball players Jordyn McKnight and Kerianne Ta’aga said the volume in their locker room at halftime Friday rose to shouts for more energy.—
Dan Albano,
Oc Register,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The stillness and calm feel comparable to being out in nature, far removed from the roars of automobile engines and the hustle and bustle of everyday life.—
Michael Salerno,
AZCentral.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Doncic had 24 points, six rebounds and five assists, including a no-look pass to Deandre Ayton for a dunk, while James had 25 points, seven assists and several dunks that the fans seemed to appreciate from their roars.—
Broderick Turner,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
McEntire shrieks between laughs, gesturing to the photographer.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On paper, Proctor screams Eagles.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn lost control within moments of leaving the start house, clipping a gate with her right shoulder and pinwheeling down the slope before ending up awkwardly on her back, her skis crisscrossed below her and her screams ringing out soon after medical personnel arrived.—
ANDREW DAMPF,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While the 27-year-old skater was brought to tears after seeing her final time, Paul was in the stands doing the same, surrounded by her family, who also couldn’t help but cry tears of joy.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Gripped with pain, tears streamed down her face the entire two-hour trip from the airport to her parents’ home in Albany.—
Lindsay Schnell,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bergholm employs some very effective sound design here, giving just a hint of animalistic growling to the kid’s lusty cries.—
Catherine Bray,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The narrator cries, rages, longs for the living body and the lively boy, and obsesses over painful details, especially the bleak journey by sea that brought the remains of his beloved friend back home.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But even those noises faded into nothing once the wooden shutters were closed at turndown, and the soft whir of the air conditioning took over.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The noises also changed each night, meaning participants consistently slept under different conditions.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Howls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howls. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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