squawk

1 of 2

verb

ˈskwȯk 

squawked; squawking; squawks

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a harsh abrupt scream

2

: to complain or protest loudly or vehemently

opponents of the bill squawked

squawker noun

squawk

2 of 2

noun

1

: a harsh abrupt scream

2

: a noisy complaint

Synonyms

Verb

• beef
• bellyache
• bitch
• bleat
• carp
• caterwaul
• complain
• crab
• croak
• fuss
• gripe
• grizzle
• grouch
• grouse
• growl
• grumble
• grump
• holler
• inveigh
• keen
• kick
• kvetch
• maunder [chiefly British]
• moan
• murmur
• mutter
• nag
• repine
• scream
• squeal
• wail
• whimper
• whine
• whinge [British]
• yammer
• yawp
• yaup
• yowl

Noun

• beef
• bitch
• bleat
• carp
• complaint
• fuss
• grievance
• gripe
• grouch
• grouse
• grumble
• holler
• kvetch
• lament
• miserere
• moan
• murmur
• plaint
• wail
• whimper
• whine
• whinge [British]
• yammer

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

Verb

The customers squawked about the high prices.

Opponents of the project have been squawking.

Noun

if we don't receive any squawks, we can assume the change was acceptable

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

For comedic relief, Earl’s second and lesser wife, Minnie (Sherry Richards), squawks her faux-spiritual prognostications. —Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 Aug. 2024

Urban farmers are squawking in protest as a new city proposal would ban roosters and cut the number of hens allowed in Des Moines from 25 to 12. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 23 July 2024

Noun

Flocks of sparrows and parrots chirp and squawk in the palms overhead. —Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024

Once presented with a bird on the other side of the call, the parrots would hop towards the screen, let out loud squawks, and bob their heads. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of squall and squeak

First Known Use

Verb

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing squawk

• squawk box

Kids Definition

squawk

1 of 2 verb

ˈskwȯk 

1

: to utter a harsh short scream

2

: to complain or protest loudly or forcefully

students squawked about the new dress code

squawker noun

squawk

2 of 2 noun

1

: a harsh short scream

2

: a noisy complaint