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
NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
People were making so much money, being greedy, but a squall was coming, one that could morph into a Cat 5 hurricane any minute.
—CNBC, 27 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
Fog rolls in off the sea, rain clouds form against the steep volcanic slopes and squalls appear without warning.
—NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
People were making so much money, being greedy, but a squall was coming, one that could morph into a Cat 5 hurricane any minute.
—CNBC, 27 Mar. 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
Noun
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Damaging wind gusts potentially topping 75 mph will take over as the main threat later Wednesday night, with individual storms expected to merge into cohesive lines from eastern Kansas first and eventually expand to western Ohio.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Then there was silence, followed by sounds of a commotion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2026
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While most of those visitors are coming with good intentions, there’s always the possibility that bad actors will take advantage of the crowds and commotion to cause damage and inflict harm.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 2026
Verb
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Raph and Grant keep tasting wasabi Oreos, with Raph shrieking and Grant grimacing.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
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The dark cellos of Guðnadóttir chop and grind, and Washington—shrieking, swiping, maddened at the air—flees into the forest, a disappearing uniform.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
Noun
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SpaceX, privately held, was insulated from that PR tempest.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
12 June 2026
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One version of the nation’s history anchors itself in the efforts to navigate those tempests, to better the imperfect tools bequeathed to us by imperfect men.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Those supporters were left unchallenged by stewards, despite FIFA winning a court hearing enabling them to lawfully prohibit people showing the lion-and-sun flags on the grounds of them carrying a political message and potentially causing disturbances.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The coordinated attack left one local police officer, who was responding to a disturbance call at the detention center, shot in the neck.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Verb
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The keeper could do nothing but flail and then turn and scream in frustration at his defense’s failings at the crucial moment.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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Elena called for Harold, who ran out in his boxers — both men screamed at each other and threatened to call the cops.—
Olivia Bensimon,
Curbed,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
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Please have several ways to receive severe weather alerts, including severe thunderstorm watches and warnings, which are likely later today.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Belowdecks, a forward bedroom, twin beds aft, a galley, and a full head encourage weekend roaming, while triple Volvo Penta D6 IPS diesels deliver the speed—38 knots top, 28 knots cruise—to get home in a hurry.—
Michael Verdon,
Robb Report,
16 June 2026
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Healthy in a hurry is possible with this 20-minute lettuce wrap recipe.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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