Squeal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈskwēl/

Meaning & Definition of Squeal

Squeal (verb)

  1. to make a shrill cry or noise
  2. to tell someone in authority (as the police, a parent, or a teacher) about someone else's bad behavior or actions
  3. complain, protest

Squeal (noun)

  1. a shrill sharp cry or noise

Squeal (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities

    "that stool pigeon squealed to the police about the whole smuggling operation"

    similar: fink, grass (on) (British slang), inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on) (British), squeak, talk, tell (on), drop a dime (on)
    related: betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off)

  2. to cry out loudly and emotionally

    "the child squealed with frustration"

    similar: howl, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, yell, yelp
    related: bay, caterwaul, keen, squawk, wail, yawp, yowl, bawl, call, cry, holler, shout, thunder, vociferate
    near: murmur, mutter, whisper

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

    "hoped that a DVD player in the backseat would keep the kids from squealing about long car rides"

    similar: beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, 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, 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

Squeal (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in screech, howl

    similar: bark, bay, bellow, blat, bleat, bray, cackle, calling, caterwaul, 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, trumpet, tu-whit tu-whoo, twitter, whinny, yap, yelp, yip, yowl, call, cry, note

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Squeal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Squeal:

British: split (on), whinge
British slang: grass (on)
Chiefly British: maunder
fink, inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, squeak, talk, tell (on), howl, scream, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, yell, yelp, beef, bellyache, bitch, bleat, carp, caterwaul, complain, crab, croak, fuss, gripe, grizzle, grouch, grouse, growl, grumble, grump, holler, inveigh, keen, kick, kvetch, moan, murmur

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Squeal

Words with the opposite meaning of Squeal:

crow, delight, rejoice

Related Words for Squeal

betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off), bawl, shout, thunder, vociferate, object (to), protest, quarrel (with), cavil, quibble, fret, stew, worry, blubber, sob, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament

Near Antonyms of Squeal

murmur, mutter, whisper, accept, bear, countenance, endure, take, tolerate, applaud, cheer, commend

Word Forms of Squeal

Inflections: squealed, squealing, squeals

Derived words: squealer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Squeal

Middle English squelen, of imitative origin

First known use: 14th centuryi

Words & Phrases Containing Squeal

squeal on

Frequently Asked Questions about Squeal

What does "Squeal" mean?

"Squeal" means to make a shrill cry or noise. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to make a shrill cry or noise. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Squeal"?

Other words for "Squeal" include fink, grass (on), inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on) and squeak. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Squeal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Squeal"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Squeal". Common alternatives include fink, grass (on), inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, split (on), squeak, talk and tell (on).

What is the opposite of "Squeal"?

Antonyms of "Squeal" include crow, delight and rejoice. Near antonyms include murmur, mutter, whisper and accept.

How do you use "Squeal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Squeal" in a sentence: "that stool pigeon squealed to the police about the whole smuggling operation"; "the child squealed with frustration"; "hoped that a DVD player in the backseat would keep the kids from squealing about long car rides".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Squeal"?

"Squeal" is pronounced /ˈskwēl/.

What is the origin of the word "Squeal"?

"Squeal" comes from Middle English squelen, of imitative origin. First known use: 14th centuryi.