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howl

howl

43 1.7
A long loud cry or laugh that shows strong feeling
  • noun
  • /haʊl/
translation icon : aullido
  • But that was nothing compared with the howls of outrage that accompanied Reagan's dovish turn toward the Soviet Union.
  • a howl of protest
  • wolf howl
  • coyote howl

And Cece, like, heard the sound and then responded with the with the howl.

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Examples

  • I am here, beneath the howl of the world, the pulse of a city, dead inside.

  • Bruiser utters a long, tortured howl as the station wagon moves away.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • There it came again, the awful howl that stabbed at her heart.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • There is the screeching howl of a drill on metal from the direction of the house.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • "How do you know?" Again came a long, sorrowful howl in the distant hills.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • A summer wind sends an eerie howl whistling through the night air.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We wake to a terrifying howl, curdling my blood as badly as nails across a blackboard.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • When they arrive at their homes, many of which have been destroyed or damaged, you hear their cries of pain and their howls over the deaths of their loved ones.

  • The announcement prompted howls of protest from civil libertarians and leaders of Arab-American organizations.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The eerie howl of the wolf echoed through the night, sending chills down their spines.

Synonyms

shout
vshowl
162 1.0

A loud cry to get attention or show strong feeling

is typically longer and more emotional, like a wild animal sound
cry
vshowl
142 1.0

A loud call that an animal or person makes

is longer and more animal‑like, not just a general loud sound
yell
vshowl
75 1.0

A loud, sudden shout made when you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

is more extended and often resembles an animal's vocalization
wail
vshowl
54 3.2

A long loud cry that shows pain or deep sadness

is broader and can express strong feeling beyond grief
howling
vshowl
47 4.1

A long loud cry that shows strong feeling

is the verb form referring to that same long emotional cry
holler
vshowl
  • Informal
35 7.5

A very loud shout or cry that shows strong feeling

is more continuous and wild like an animal's prolonged cry
roaring
vshowl
30 3.4

A deep loud sound like an animal or thunder

is more clearly an emotional animal cry rather than a general force noise
bellow
vshowl
20 4.6

A very loud deep shout like a lion's roar

is higher pitched and more prolonged, with emotional quality
bellowing
vshowl
4 5.9

A very loud deep shout like an animal's roar

is usually sharper and more drawn out, like an anguished animal sound
yowl
vshowl
3 7.2

A loud, long cry that sounds like an animal in pain

is similar but emphasizes longer, animal‑style loudness rather than wail shape
ululation
vshowl
1 9.9

A long loud high sound people make to show strong feeling

is a natural animal‑style loud cry rather than a cultural vocal tradition
loud holler
vshowl
  • US
1 4.1

A very loud shout to show strong feeling or get attention

is more prolonged and emotional rather than mainly attention seeking
hollo
vshowl
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A very loud cry like an animal's call made by a person

is a longer emotional cry rather than a short call
halloo
vshowl
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A loud shout to call dogs in a hunt or get someone's attention

is not mainly for calling attention but is an emotional long cry
howler
vshowl
4.4

A loud strong cry that someone or an animal makes

is more about a prolonged, wild animal‑like emotional sound
9.2

A very loud, high cry that sounds like someone in great fear or pain

is more general and animalish, not specifically mournful or legendary

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

586 1.0

To speak very quietly using only breath so one person can hear

Idioms

4 8.2

To make a long loud cry like a wolf to show strong feeling

How Loud

roar
142 1.0
wail
54 3.2
howl
43 1.7
moan
  • NSFW
119 1.8

Surface Forms

howl singular
howls plural

Etymology

Howl names a long, loud cry and comes from copying the sound animals make. So a howl is a long, emotional sound, like a wolf's cry or a loud shout of pain, anger, or laughter.