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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squall
Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
These squalls could cause sharp reductions in visibility and rapid accumulation of snow, according to the NWS Green Bay office.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
Forecasters for the National Weather Service say squalls on Friday and Saturday could drop 3 to 5 inches of rain across Northern California, Oregon and Washington, and the highest points of elevation could see up to 3 feet of snow.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
These squalls could cause sharp reductions in visibility and rapid accumulation of snow, according to the NWS Green Bay office.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Snow squall safety tips NWS offers the following snow squall warning safety tips:
Avoid or delay motor vehicle travel until the snow squall warning passes.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
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Such a proliferation of storms is rare but not unprecedented, NASA noted, with meteorologists attributing the display in part to warm sea surface temperatures and weak wind shear conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
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The best time to do this is after a storm, as pieces of amber are dislodged from the sea bed by rough waters.—
Stephan Rabimov,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The commotion prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson to pound his gavel, warn Green to sit down and eventually have the lawmaker removed by the sergeant at arms.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA TODAY,
5 Mar. 2025
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The commotion continued for Saldaña, Brody (snagging his second Best Actor win) and Madison, who was met with congratulations at every turn.—
Ryma Chikhoune,
WWD,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Democrats will shriek about draconian spending cuts, but the instructions the House has given are modest — really, too modest, if the goal is to change the long-run trajectory of the federal debt.—
The Editors,
National Review,
27 Feb. 2025
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No wonder, then, that every appearance on that first two-week visit by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Starr was met by shrieking teenagers, signs of what became known as Beatlemania.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Cuomo faces a vulnerable incumbent Adams is also seeking reelection but is facing a tempest over the criminal case against him, and the U.S. Justice Department’s extraordinary effort to end the case over the objection of the prosecutors who brought the charges.—
Anthony Izaguirre,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
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Hilaria touches on the media tempest surrounding her accent, reiterating that she was raised bilingual.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Drinks Limit liquids at least one to two hours before bed to prevent sleep disturbances.—
Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD,
Verywell Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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Over time, this can lead to constant fatigue, loss of motivation and even physical symptoms like headaches or sleep disturbances.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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There, Garrett screamed at his girlfriend, a guest in a neighboring room would later tell Tricia.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Mar. 2025
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Her six-game outburst in the state preliminaries screamed of consistency, with no score lower than 217 and none higher than 269.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Meanwhile, the South is recovering from torrential thunderstorms.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC News,
6 Mar. 2025
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In Texas, severe thunderstorms Tuesday caused significant damage to buildings and gusty winds brought down trees and power lines across several cities, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But that could change in a hurry if USC can’t take care of business against Washington on Wednesday.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2025
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The movie business may be exclusive, biased, and brutal, but this year’s Oscars — which, for once, were not in a hurry and hardly played anyone off — spun out the illusion that everyone could be an insider, all of us in it together, even those of us watching at home.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
3 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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