squawk

1 of 2

verb

squawked; squawking; squawks

intransitive verb

1
: to utter a harsh abrupt scream
2
: to complain or protest loudly or vehemently
opponents of the bill squawked
squawker noun

squawk

2 of 2

noun

1
: a harsh abrupt scream
2
: a noisy complaint

Examples of squawk in a Sentence

Verb The customers squawked about the high prices. Opponents of the project have been squawking. Noun if we don't receive any squawks, we can assume the change was acceptable
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
For comedic relief, Earl’s second and lesser wife, Minnie (Sherry Richards), squawks her faux-spiritual prognostications. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 Aug. 2024 Urban farmers are squawking in protest as a new city proposal would ban roosters and cut the number of hens allowed in Des Moines from 25 to 12. Jason Clayworth, Axios, 23 July 2024
Noun
Flocks of sparrows and parrots chirp and squawk in the palms overhead. Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 9 June 2024 Once presented with a bird on the other side of the call, the parrots would hop towards the screen, let out loud squawks, and bob their heads. Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for squawk 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'squawk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably blend of squall and squeak

First Known Use

Verb

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of squawk was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near squawk

Cite this Entry

“Squawk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squawk. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

squawk

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a harsh short scream
2
: to complain or protest loudly or forcefully
students squawked about the new dress code
squawker noun

squawk

2 of 2 noun
1
: a harsh short scream
2
: a noisy complaint

More from Merriam-Webster on squawk

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