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squawk

squawk

3 6.3
A short angry complaint about something people dislike
  • noun
  • /skwɔk/
  • Informal
translation icon : queja
  • Square, a mobile payment start-up, has been getting a lot of squawk lately.
  • a squawk box

Examples

  • After much squawking, the adult prevailed!

    Academic text (2009)
  • After the meeting, there was a small squawk among the employees about the new policy.

  • One squawk from her and she's out of a job.

  • He put up quite a squawk.

  • Don't want a lot of squawking.

  • I've been Mrs. Haines for 18 months now without a single squawk.

  • My squawk is about the bosses and their influence over how locals are operated and the lack of control locals have in amending contracts when their jobs are at stake.

    Blog text (23)
  • There has been barely a squawk from any significant and/or loud Democratic voice over Harry Reid's tax accusations or the new Obama super PAC ad.

    Blog text (24)
  • There was a lot of squawk from the residents about the new parking rules.

  • Her constant squawk regarding the changes in the schedule was hard to ignore.

Synonyms

beef
vssquawk
  • Slang
138 8.0

A complaint or argument between people

is a single objection or protest rather than an interpersonal dispute
bitch
vssquawk
  • NSFW
88 8.1

An informal complaint about something that annoys you

is less emotional and more neutral in tone
gripe
vssquawk
  • Informal
28 6.5

A complaint about a small problem that bothers you

is about larger objections rather than minor annoyances

Antonyms

361 1.0

A situation in which people have the same opinion or give their approval

104 2.7

Being approved or welcomed by other people

Compounds

1 6.3

A loudspeaker used to talk to people in a building

How Strong

protest
578 2.5
outcry
52 4.6
squawk
  • Informal
3 6.3
complaint
564 1.4
grumble
3 3.4

Surface Forms

squawk singular
squawks plural

Etymology

Squawk as a noun for a complaint comes from that same sharp cry: people used the idea of a loud, angry sound to name a short protest, so a squawk is 'an informal complaint' said loudly.