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howling

howling

47 4.1
A long loud cry that shows strong feeling
  • noun
  • /ˈhaʊlɪŋ/
translation icon : aullido
  • "Somewhere out in the drifts, a wolf yipped, his mournful howling carrying on the wind.
  • howling of a dog
  • howling of the wind
  • sound of howling

So like this coyote's howling, I look up and that thing is still there.

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Examples

  • I wrap my legs around Donnato and scream his name into the howling abyss.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • The trees begin to sway as a howling wind rushes through them.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The pain brought darkness, but my howling screams forced my eyes to remain open.

  • Five, ten, then a flood of howling warriors burst through the camp.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • At the second-floor door, an infant's howling mixed in with the radio.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • The accompaniment of the howling in the distant hills made the sight even more eerie and chilling.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Within minutes, a deafening roar of "sobs," "groans," "screeches," "howlings," and "yellings" exploded onto the village.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The howling of the wolves echoed through the night, filling the air with their mournful cries.

  • After the team lost the match, the howling from the disappointed fans could be heard for miles.

  • The child's howling when he fell down made everyone rush to see if he was okay.

Synonyms

yelling
vshowling
172 1.0

A loud shout showing pain, anger or strong feeling

is a specific long emotional cry rather than varied loud utterances
shout
vshowling
162 1.0

A loud cry to get attention or show strong feeling

is the longer, more emotional version rather than a quick call
cry
vshowling
142 1.0

A loud call that an animal or person makes

is more specific, meaning a long and emotional type of that sound
shouting
vshowling
129 1.0

Loud sounds people make to show strong feelings, for example at sports games

is similar but specifically denotes a long and emotional form of that cry
screaming
vshowling
92 1.9

A very loud high, piercing noise that hurts the ears

is an emotional long cry that may not always be high-pitched
yell
vshowling
75 1.0

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

is generally longer and may express amusement as well as pain
screeching
vshowling
58 3.3

A very loud high sound that hurts your ears

is less about pitch and harshness and more about length and feeling
wail
vshowling
54 3.2

A long loud cry that shows pain or deep sadness

is broader, applying to long emotional cries beyond sorrow alone
howl
vshowling
43 1.7

A long loud cry or laugh that shows strong feeling

is a long loud emotional cry used for pain, amusement, or strong feeling
holler
vshowling
  • Informal
35 7.5

A very loud shout or cry that shows strong feeling

is more about a long emotional sound rather than a short shout
squeal
vshowling
34 2.9

A long, high sound showing pain, fear, or strong excitement

is similar but is not limited to a high pitch and includes deeper tones
roaring
vshowling
30 3.4

A deep loud sound like an animal or thunder

is emotional and long but can be higher or less forceful than this
whooping
vshowling
20 3.7

A loud shout that shows joy or approval

is also emotional but often longer and not only joyful excitement
shrieking
vshowling
15 3.0

A loud, very high sound like a scream made by a person or animal

is long and emotional but can be lower pitched and less piercing
wailing
vshowling
5 3.5

Loud long cries made when someone feels deep pain or sadness

covers long emotional cries for many feelings, not only grief
bellowing
vshowling
4 5.9

A very loud deep shout like an animal's roar

is emotional and loud but can be less deep and more sustained
bawling
vshowling
4 3.5

Loud, noisy crying when someone is very upset

is similar but not limited to weeping or visible tears
yowl
vshowling
3 7.2

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

is any long emotional cry for various feelings, not only animallike wails
ululation
vshowling
1 9.9

A long loud high sound people make to show strong feeling

is the general long emotional cry, not tied to cultural practice
loud holler
vshowling
  • US
1 4.1

A very loud shout to show strong feeling or get attention

is usually a sustained emotional cry rather than a single attention call
halloo
vshowling
  • Archaic
1 9.9

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

is emotional and long but not primarily used just to attract notice
howler
vshowling
4.4

A loud strong cry that someone or an animal makes

is the expressive long cry itself rather than the person or thing making it
hollering
vshowling
  • Informal
5.9

A very loud shout that sounds like an animal call

is focused on sustained emotional sound more than a single loud call

Antonyms

660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

How Loud

roar
142 1.0
howling
47 4.1
murmur
36 4.1
whisper
110 1.0

Surface Forms

howling singular
howlings plural

Morphology

howling = howl (transparent) = howl + ing

This is a regular -ing nominalization of howling from the verb howl, so the meaning is directly recoverable.

Etymology

Howling comes from the sound word howl, which means 'to make a long, loud cry' and copies the noise of wolves or the wind. So a howling is a long, loud, emotional cry or sound, and the word itself helps you imagine the noise.