howl
verb
ˈhau̇(-ə)l 
howled; howling; howls
intransitive verb
1
: to emit a loud sustained doleful sound characteristic of members of the dog family
2
: to cry out loudly and without restraint under strong impulse (such as pain, grief, or amusement)
3
: to go on a spree or rampage
transitive verb
1
: to utter with unrestrained outcry
2
: to drown out or cause to fail by adverse outcry —used especially with down
howl noun
Synonyms
- bay
- keen
- ululate
- wail
- yowl
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The dogs were howling at the moon. several coyotes began howling close by as the sun went down
Recent Examples on the Web In fact, there’s enough to make the front wheels to howl a little too easily, a result of their low rolling resistance. 
Tribune News Service, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 As the music built, Allen and then Jagger sashayed down the catwalk, two divas determined to make their drama bring down the house, then faced one another to howl out all the emotion in the lyrics. Rob Levine, Billboard, 6 June 2022 Among these behaviors, breed did play some role — for example, beagles and bloodhounds tend to howl more, border collies are biddable, and Shiba Inus are far less so. CBS News, 29 Apr. 2022 The misogynistic keyboard warriors will no doubt howl at even the suggestion that the women deserve equal treatment, claiming the NCAA is only prioritizing what makes money. Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2022 After two years of development, Nightbitch with Amy Adams is ready to howl. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2022 On average, beagles and bloodhounds are more likely to howl. Katie Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022 Edgar loves to interact with others, has shown to be extremely social, is an expert at giving kisses and will even howl to show his happiness. Adam Schwager, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2022 The wind continued to howl and shake the building all night. CBS News, 28 Mar. 2022 See More
Tribune News Service, cleveland, 26 Aug. 2022 As the music built, Allen and then Jagger sashayed down the catwalk, two divas determined to make their drama bring down the house, then faced one another to howl out all the emotion in the lyrics. Rob Levine, Billboard, 6 June 2022 Among these behaviors, breed did play some role — for example, beagles and bloodhounds tend to howl more, border collies are biddable, and Shiba Inus are far less so. CBS News, 29 Apr. 2022 The misogynistic keyboard warriors will no doubt howl at even the suggestion that the women deserve equal treatment, claiming the NCAA is only prioritizing what makes money. Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2022 After two years of development, Nightbitch with Amy Adams is ready to howl. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 May 2022 On average, beagles and bloodhounds are more likely to howl. Katie Shepherd, Anchorage Daily News, 30 Apr. 2022 Edgar loves to interact with others, has shown to be extremely social, is an expert at giving kisses and will even howl to show his happiness. Adam Schwager, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2022 The wind continued to howl and shake the building all night. CBS News, 28 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English houlen; akin to Middle High German hiulen to howl
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Phrases Containing howl
Kids Definition
howl 1 of 2
verb
ˈhau̇l
howled; howling
1
: to make a loud long mournful cry or sound
Wolves howled at the moon.
Wind was howling through the trees.
2
: to cry out loudly (as with pain or amusement) The audience howled with laughter.
howl
2 of 2noun
1
: a loud long mournful sound made by dogs and related animals (as wolves)
2
: a long loud cry (as of distress, disappointment, or rage)
A howl … of dismay went up from the creatures … C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobehowl 1 of 2
noun
1
as in wail
a crying out in grief we had to endure the puppy's mournful howls on her first night in our house Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- wail
- groan
- cry
- lamentation
- tears
- moan
- lament
- mourning
- weeping
- keen
- sob
- plaint
- suffering
- protest
- outcry
- regret
- sorrowing
- grieving
- anguish
- sorrow
- agonizing
- grief
- heartbreak
- woe
- heartache
- complaint
- hand-wringing
- dolor
- cri de coeur
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exultation
- rejoicing
- laughing
- smiling
- cheering
2
as in shout
a loud vocal expression of strong emotion heard howls of laughter from the children watching the clown's silly antics Synonyms & Similar Words
- shout
- cry
- scream
- shriek
- squeal
- yell
- roar
- holler
- yowl
- whoop
- hoot
- yelp
- screech
- squeak
- shrill
- wail
- bellow
- outcry
- bawl
- clamor
- interjection
- squall
- ejaculation
- caterwaul
- plaint
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- murmur
- whisper
- gasp
- mutter
- whimper
- mumble
3
as in roar
a violent shouting the crowd let out a howl of protest over the referee's call Synonyms & Similar Words
- roar
- noise
- outcry
- clamor
- vociferation
- tumult
- hubbub
- racket
- hullabaloo
- uproar
- din
- protest
- hue and cry
- jangle
- clangor
- outburst
- cri de coeur
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rumble
- murmur
- rumbling
- murmuring
- mumble
- mumbling
howl
2 of 2verb
1
as in to shriek
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
- shriek
- wail
- scream
- yell
- yowl
- squeal
- screech
- bay
- ululate
- caterwaul
- keen
- yelp
- shrill
- yawp
- squall
- bawl
- yaup
2
as in to scream
to cry out loudly and emotionally the boy howled in pain when his baby sister bit him Synonyms & Similar Words
- shriek
- scream
- squeal
- yell
- cry
- screech
- yelp
- shrill
- squall
- wail
- caterwaul
- yowl
- shout
- squawk
- yawp
- bay
- keen
- bawl
- holler
- thunder
- vociferate
- call
- yaup
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- whisper
- murmur
- mutter