squall
10 synonyms for squall, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow.
“A squall blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat.”
How to use squall
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sudden squall
squall line
squall of wind
Etymology
From Old Norse skvala, "to cry out", likely influenced by "squeal" and "bawl."
Full origin of squall →Frequently asked questions
What does “squall” mean?
The word “squall” means a sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow. In plain terms, a sudden violent storm, or a loud crying/wailing sound.
How do you pronounce “squall”?
“Squall” is pronounced SKWAWL (/ˈskwɔːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “squall” in a sentence?
Here is “squall” used in a sentence: “A squall blew in off the lake and capsized the small boat.”
What part of speech is “squall”?
Depending on how it is used, “squall” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “squall” come from?
The word “squall” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse skvala, "to cry out", likely influenced by "squeal" and "bawl.".
How many meanings does “squall” have?
“Squall” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sudden, brief, and violent storm, often with strong winds and rain or snow.
