howls 1 of 2

Definition of howlsnext
plural of howl

howls

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of howl
1
as in shrieks
to make a long loud mournful sound several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down the wind howled on the open plain

Synonyms & Similar Words

2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of howls
Noun
At that point, a loud drum fill announces itself, snarling electric guitars kick in and McCartney’s trademark howls of old arrive in time for a fairly kick-ass chorus. Chris Willman, Variety, 23 May 2026 It’s installed bioacoustic cameras in Yellowstone to track wolves and analyze their howls. Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026 The Kremlin’s internet blackouts have raised howls among ordinary Russians as the regime tries to limit information on economic woes and soaring casualties in Ukraine. Jason Ma, Fortune, 16 May 2026 Such prices have set off howls of protest from some fans. James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026 My 2-year-old daughter’s howls of protest echoed through the previously silent forest of towering Norway spruce. Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026 But listen carefully as the howls of anger and anguish are even louder coming out of Philly and Beantown. Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 After that line, the House of Commons descended into sarcastic howls of laughter. Jamie Nimmo, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026 For husky owners, the incident served as a reminder that, while the breed is beloved for its personality, those operatic howls can sometimes cause real-world misunderstandings—even police visits. Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
Verb
Foxes use a variety of calls, including barks, howls, yaps, and growls. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026 Each dish and recipe howls with a common sense of place. Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 Apr. 2026 Karen howls in a video Kaley posted to Instagram as a teenager. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 At night, the desert comes alive with coyote howls, prowling skunks and the possibility of larger cats or black bears nearby. Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026 The wind howls, and the sound of the runners grinding over the ice is surprisingly loud. Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 26 Jan. 2026 Hip holidaying friends, those who don’t want to share their trip with babies’ howls, and golfers looking for an element of cool (guests have access to all the facilities at the other Costa Navarino hotels such as golf courses and the Mouratoglou tennis academy). Jemima Sissons, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 Listening to Alan Vega, these rockers’ influence on his signature howls and croons becomes obvious. Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026 From the booth, Lyons Township announcer Aidan Brandstedt howls, overcome with excitement. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for howls
Noun
  • Her wails of pain were audible on TV broadcasts as medics tended to her before a helicopter finally carried her away.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 6 May 2026
  • Within moments, a smoke detector wails.
    Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 2 May 2026
Noun
  • Once inside, any sense of peace dissipates in the vociferous shouts from the local crowd, who create a hostile environment for any foreign player.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 26 May 2026
  • The offer was met with shouts, laughs and cheers from the crowd.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026
Noun
  • Both of them suggest the guitarist Loren Connors leading the early roars of Earth, his intuitive way of navigating the instrument’s neck bolstered by a formidable wall of hum at his back.
    Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 14 May 2026
  • All of that felt like a distant memory on Monday night, when Becerra, now the leading Democrat ahead of the June 2 primary, was met with roars of approval from a hometown crowd of at least 700 people at Sacramento State.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • Back in the car, Albert moans and groans while Billie shrieks in panic.
    Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The eyelet design that covers the bodice and skirt of the garment screams summer, while the tie shoulders add extra visual interest.
    Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
  • Most of Lucy Boynton’s beauty references the 1960s, and this doll-like bob screams modern mod.
    Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • The Bruins’ bat boy’s tears stained the front of Cholowsky’s jersey as his sobs grew heavier by the second.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 June 2026
  • The 22-year-old Wembanyama was emotional, bursting into tears as the final horn blew and again choking back emotions after being named the Most Valuable Player of the WCF.
    CNN.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • Hearing her mothers’ cries, the 11-year-old apparently came to her aid.
    Sean Emery, Oc Register, 1 June 2026
  • Then, the cries of Ginny’s baby are a major wake-up call for the couple that can’t be ignored.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 28 May 2026
Noun
  • Even within the walls of the apartment, there was the hum of the refrigerator, the soft ticking of a radio alarm clock and the clock in the VCR, the submarine tlack of the cassette reversing in the answering machine, and other little noises.
    Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
  • Unpredictable hours, loud noises, finicky clients, wrenches, needles.
    Jane Bua, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Howls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/howls. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on howls

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster