caterwaul

verb

cat·er·waul ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl How to pronounce caterwaul (audio)

caterwauled; caterwauling; caterwauls

intransitive verb

: to make a harsh cry

: to protest or complain noisily

caterwaul noun

Did you know?

An angry (or amorous) cat can make a lot of noise. As long ago as the mid-1300s, English speakers were using caterwaul for the act of voicing feline passions. The cater part is, of course, connected to the cat, but scholars disagree about whether it traces to Middle Dutch cāter, meaning "tomcat," or if it is really just cat with an "-er" added. The waul is probably imitative in origin; it represents the feline howl itself. English's first caterwaul was a verb focused on feline vocalizations, but by the 1600s it was also being used for similar non-cat noises and for noisy people or things.

Example Sentences

Some animal was caterwauling in my backyard last night. He continues to caterwaul about having to take the blame.

Recent Examples on the Web Republicans could caterwaul about the skyrocketing debt without actually having to do anything about it except express their disapproval. Getting most creative.

Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 29 Sep. 2021 In a season of a lively baseball, the Twins hit a silly number of home runs and came caterwauling out of the great north and took their division.

Michael Powell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2019 The media–Democrat caterwauling over Trump’s election-rigging spiel was not rooted in patriotic commitment to the American democratic tradition of accepting election outcomes.

Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 16 Aug. 2019 Media outlets that caterwaul about all this become the victims of commercial crises.

The Economist, 21 June 2018 This lets Congress caterwaul on behalf of special interests while blaming Presidents for not punishing foreigners.

The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 June 2018 This guy starts caterwauling about his 1st Amendment rights and whatnot.

Monique Judge, The Root, 9 Oct. 2017 So for all the folks who wanted to caterwaul about some tiny part of Swift's video being somewhat similar to something that Beyoncé once did (that was similar to something that someone else did), please take a seat.

Zane Warman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2017 Mr. Sanders, 76, played with John Coltrane near the end of his life, seeming to inherit Coltrane’s affinity for global folk musics, Eastern spirituality and caterwauling expressionism.

New York Times, 22 June 2017 See More

单词	caterwauling
释义	caterwaul verb cat·er·waul ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl caterwauled; caterwauling; caterwauls intransitive verb 1 : to make a harsh cry 2 : to protest or complain noisily caterwaul noun Did you know? An angry (or amorous) cat can make a lot of noise. As long ago as the mid-1300s, English speakers were using caterwaul for the act of voicing feline passions. The cater part is, of course, connected to the cat, but scholars disagree about whether it traces to Middle Dutch cāter, meaning "tomcat," or if it is really just cat with an "-er" added. The waul is probably imitative in origin; it represents the feline howl itself. English's first caterwaul was a verb focused on feline vocalizations, but by the 1600s it was also being used for similar non-cat noises and for noisy people or things. Synonyms beef bellyache bitch bleat carp 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 squawk squeal wail whimper whine whinge [British] yammer yawp yaup yowl See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Some animal was caterwauling in my backyard last night. He continues to caterwaul about having to take the blame. Recent Examples on the Web Republicans could caterwaul about the skyrocketing debt without actually having to do anything about it except express their disapproval. Getting most creative. Zachary B. Wolf, CNN, 29 Sep. 2021 In a season of a lively baseball, the Twins hit a silly number of home runs and came caterwauling out of the great north and took their division. Michael Powell, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2019 The media–Democrat caterwauling over Trump’s election-rigging spiel was not rooted in patriotic commitment to the American democratic tradition of accepting election outcomes. Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 16 Aug. 2019 Media outlets that caterwaul about all this become the victims of commercial crises. The Economist, 21 June 2018 This lets Congress caterwaul on behalf of special interests while blaming Presidents for not punishing foreigners. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 June 2018 This guy starts caterwauling about his 1st Amendment rights and whatnot. Monique Judge, The Root, 9 Oct. 2017 So for all the folks who wanted to caterwaul about some tiny part of Swift's video being somewhat similar to something that Beyoncé once did (that was similar to something that someone else did), please take a seat. Zane Warman, Billboard, 7 Sep. 2017 Mr. Sanders, 76, played with John Coltrane near the end of his life, seeming to inherit Coltrane’s affinity for global folk musics, Eastern spirituality and caterwauling expressionism. New York Times, 22 June 2017 See More Word History Etymology Middle English caterwawen First Known Use 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 caterwauling 1 of 2 adjective as in vocal engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest caterwauling fans vented on the talk radio show when news of the trade of the team's star player came to light Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance vocal yowling squawking blatant vociferous vociferating outspoken yawping noisy shrill clamorous clamant obstreperous vociferant yauping raucous boisterous strident earsplitting loudmouthed rowdy cacophonous dissonant grating blaring clangorous dinning discordant blustering brazen uproarious robustious rackety brassy booming Antonyms & Near Antonyms silent quiet still soundless noiseless hushed subdued calm See More caterwauling 2 of 2 verb present participle of caterwaul as in screaming to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do Synonyms & Similar Words screaming complaining whining moaning muttering yowling whimpering growling wailing squawking yammering squealing grumbling bellyaching hollering bitching bleating kvetching grousing keening crying murmuring carping worrying griping yawping grizzling kicking nagging whinging inveighing whingeing grouching maundering repining croaking beefing grumping protesting crabbing fussing sobbing yauping kicking up a stink kicking up a fuss blubbering quibbling caviling fretting stewing bewailing lamenting cavilling deploring bemoaning quarrelling (with) quarreling (with) objecting (to) Antonyms & Near Antonyms rejoicing crowing delighting enduring tolerating accepting taking bearing applauding countenancing cheering commending See More
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caterwaul

verb

Did you know?

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

adjective

verb