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
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
These squalls can lead to sudden spinouts and chain-reaction crashes because road conditions deteriorate rapidly.
—Joe Ruch, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Noun
In the developed world, 1 to 2 percent of adults get swept up in its squall, with men over 30 and post-menopausal women most at risk.
—Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
These squalls can lead to sudden spinouts and chain-reaction crashes because road conditions deteriorate rapidly.
—Joe Ruch, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Unlike longer-lasting snowstorms, squalls move fast and can catch drivers off guard, especially when roads appear mostly clear just moments before conditions deteriorate.
—Brandi D. Addison, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 13 Jan. 2026
Snow squalls in the Detroit area caused a number of car crashes on Interstate 75 on Monday, prompting the Michigan State Police to close the northbound highway and causing major backups for travelers.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squall
Noun
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Even minor changes in clouds, wind or storms can force delays, especially for a mission of this scale.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Despite the initial commotion, Julie’s case went cold.—
Annalise Peterson,
NBC news,
21 Mar. 2026
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During the commotion, Gamel Kheir, the mosque’s secretary, pleaded for calm.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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With few exceptions, all the other students had shrieked in fear and had, from then on, called her gross-out or bug-girl.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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For now, Buttigieg has chosen to wait out the tempests in Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten, a former schoolteacher.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
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What started as a joyous snowball fight Monday in New York City morphed into a political tempest after residents began pelting police officers with snow and ice.—
Tim Craig,
Washington Post,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Garcia said detectives have learned that Serrano was not connected to the initial domestic disturbance call that brought officers to the neighborhood.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
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Several fungal species are most often carried by dust and other soil disturbances, posing health risks when inhaled.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For families This hotel doesn’t scream family-friendly and there’s no kids’ menu in the restaurants.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Martens plans to scream, if not louder, than with more originality.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Several rain and thunderstorm chances are expected.—
Ray Petelin,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Just as the weather was starting to warm up, a cold front is expected to pass through northern Illinois and northwest Indiana this afternoon creating conditions for a severe thunderstorm category three out of five, the National Weather Service said.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Just don't be in a hurry to get there.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Don’t be in a hurry, as this grace period will keep your home from being filled with toxic fumes from the new installation.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squall. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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