Caterwaul — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl/ cat·er·waul

Meaning & Definition of Caterwaul

Caterwaul (verb)

  1. to make a harsh cry
  2. to protest or complain noisily

Caterwaul (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely

    "like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do"

    similar: 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, yowl, kick up a fuss
    related: object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, cry, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament
    opposite: crow, delight, rejoice
    near: accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Caterwaul (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in yowl, screech

    similar: bark, bay, bellow, blat, bleat, bray, cackle, calling, caw, cheep, chirp, cluck, coo, crake, croak, crow, grunt, honk, hoot, howl, low, meow, mew, moo, neigh, oink, peep, quack, roar, screech, squall, squawk, squeak, squeal, trumpet, tu-whit tu-whoo, twitter, whinny, yap, yelp, yip, yowl, call, cry, note

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Caterwaul

The most common words with a similar meaning to Caterwaul:

Chiefly British: maunder
British: whinge
beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur, mutter, nag, repine, scream, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp, yowl, kick up a fuss, bark, bay, bellow, blat

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Caterwaul

Words with the opposite meaning of Caterwaul:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Caterwaul

object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms of Caterwaul

accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Word Forms of Caterwaul

Inflections: caterwauled, caterwauling, caterwauls

Derived words: caterwaul (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Caterwaul

Middle English caterwawen

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Caterwaul

What does "Caterwaul" mean?

"Caterwaul" means to make a harsh cry. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make a harsh cry. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Caterwaul"?

Other words for "Caterwaul" include beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, complain, crab and croak. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Caterwaul" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Caterwaul"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Caterwaul". Common alternatives include beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, complain, crab, croak, fuss and gripe.

What is the opposite of "Caterwaul"?

Antonyms of "Caterwaul" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include accept, bear, countenance and endure.

How do you use "Caterwaul" in a sentence?

Examples of "Caterwaul" in a sentence: "like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do".

Is "Caterwaul" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Caterwaul" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Caterwaul"?

"Caterwaul" is pronounced /ˈka-tər-ˌwȯl/ and divided into syllables as cat·er·waul.

What is the origin of the word "Caterwaul"?

"Caterwaul" comes from Middle English caterwawen. First known use: 14th century.