1
as in storm
a disturbance of the atmosphere accompanied by wind and often by precipitation (as rain or snow)
a snow squall is expected tonight
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity
the annual squall created when the store holds its biggest sale of the year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squall
Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
These squalls could cause sharp reductions in visibility and rapid accumulation of snow, according to the NWS Green Bay office.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
Forecasters for the National Weather Service say squalls on Friday and Saturday could drop 3 to 5 inches of rain across Northern California, Oregon and Washington, and the highest points of elevation could see up to 3 feet of snow.
—Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
These squalls could cause sharp reductions in visibility and rapid accumulation of snow, according to the NWS Green Bay office.
—Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Snow squall safety tips NWS offers the following snow squall warning safety tips:
Avoid or delay motor vehicle travel until the snow squall warning passes.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
Black Francis still shrieked, Joey Santiago’s guitar still squalled, Lenchantin’s bass still offered a choppy plunk, and the bam-thwok of David Lovering’s drums still kept the chaos anchored.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
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In the middle of the expedition, however, a vicious storm began to buffet the ship that had brought them out to sea.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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Such a proliferation of storms is rare but not unprecedented, NASA noted, with meteorologists attributing the display in part to warm sea surface temperatures and weak wind shear conditions.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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In the security footage, which amassed over 1.2 million views, one cat ran up the stairs frightened after hearing a commotion coming in the closet under the stairs.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
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Individual pregame warmups wrap up and a certain member of the Charlotte Hornets exits the court heading toward the tunnel, causing a commotion among throngs of onlookers hoping for a keepsake signature or snapshot.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Democrats will shriek about draconian spending cuts, but the instructions the House has given are modest — really, too modest, if the goal is to change the long-run trajectory of the federal debt.—
The Editors,
National Review,
27 Feb. 2025
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No wonder, then, that every appearance on that first two-week visit by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Starr was met by shrieking teenagers, signs of what became known as Beatlemania.—
Jorge L. Ortiz,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Hilaria touches on the media tempest surrounding her accent, reiterating that she was raised bilingual.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
20 Feb. 2025
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Prior to the Rust shooting, the tempest that most plagued the Baldwins was the lingering public confusion over Hilaria’s ethnicity.—
Mikey O'Connell,
The Hollywood Reporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
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Drinks Limit liquids at least one to two hours before bed to prevent sleep disturbances.—
Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD,
Verywell Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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Over time, this can lead to constant fatigue, loss of motivation and even physical symptoms like headaches or sleep disturbances.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Preston Turano, a veterinarian and spokesperson at Felix Cat Insurance, told Newsweek that yelling, screaming, and physical punishment should never be used when training or communicating with your cat.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
23 Feb. 2025
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Moments after an emphatic two-handed jam in the closing seconds that sealed Sherman Oaks Notre Dame’s 68-61 upset of Harvard-Westlake on Friday night in Studio City, Tyran Stokes clenched both fists, turned toward his teammates and screamed at the top of his lungs.—
Steve Galluzzo,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Later, a line of thunderstorms that formed overnight moved more quickly through the area, dropping less rain but mixing with windy conditions.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
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Portions of the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley and Lower Mississippi Valleys all stand a chance of being hit with widespread showers and thunderstorms as the storm moves eastward to the Appalachians, the weather service said.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA TODAY,
16 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As Musk says, EVs (and hybrids) are coming on strong across the globe, and if the president takes serious action against them, U.S. automakers will become uncompetitive in a hurry.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
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Trying to implement changes in a hurry can have disastrous results.—
Stephanie Dillon,
Rolling Stone,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
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