Squawk: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'squawk' to describe a loud, harsh noise typically made by birds, or sometimes to refer to people complaining loudly.

• The parrots in the aviary started to squawk when they saw a stranger approaching.
• She began to squawk about the unfair treatment at work.

Use 'screech' for sharp, high-pitched noises, often associated with brakes, metal on metal, or sudden, panicked cries.

• The car came to a halt with a loud screeching sound.
• He let out a screech when he saw the spider.

Use 'shriek' to describe a loud, high-pitched cry of fear, pain, or excitement, often made by humans.

• She let out a shriek of joy when she heard the good news.
• The horror movie was filled with shrieks and screams.

Use 'squall' to refer to sudden, violent gusts of wind or a baby's loud cry, often used in meteorological or parenting contexts.

• The sailors were caught in a sudden squall while out at sea.
• The baby started to squall in the middle of the night.

Squawk is typically used to describe the loud, harsh noise made by birds, and can also be used metaphorically to describe a loud, grating complaint or protest.

• The parrot squawked loudly in its cage.
• She squawked in outrage when she saw the mess.

Cry generally refers to shedding tears in response to emotion, but can also mean a loud verbal exclamation. It can be used to describe human emotions or the sounds of certain animals.

• She cried after hearing the sad news.
• The baby began to cry softly.
• A cry for help could be heard from the distance.

Call is a more general term that can refer to any vocal sound or shout made to attract attention. It can be used in various contexts, whether it's a person calling, an animal's call, or even a professional term like a business call.

• He called out for his friend across the street.
• The owl's call echoed through the night.
• We had a conference call this morning.

Scream denotes a loud, high-pitched noise made in fear, pain, or excitement. It has a strong emotional impact and is often used in dramatic contexts.

• She screamed when she saw the spider.
• The horror movie made him scream.