CATERWAULING Synonyms: 109 Similar and Opposite Words

caterwauling 1 of 2

adjective

as in vocal

engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest caterwauling fans vented on the talk radio show when news of the trade of the team's star player came to light

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caterwauling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of caterwaul

as in complaining

to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely like many kids during summer vacation, they were caterwauling about the lack of things to do

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of caterwauling

Verb

As a musician, Ono was known for singing in what has been described as a screechy, caterwauling voice, and many of her musical collaborations with Lennon were baffling to Beatles fans. — Barbara Spindel, Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for caterwauling

Adjective

Some of Fairshake’s most vocal critics questioned whether its backers are getting a clear picture of the battleground landscape.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 28 Oct. 2026
One of the most vocal figures to have raised these concerns lives in Melinka.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of vocal

Verb

That March, a seventy-year-old patient from a wealthy Cypriot family, Evie Lanitis, arrived at BioMed, complaining of a host of minor maladies, including bursitis in her toes, dental pain, and digestive issues.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
This was the first opportunity, Ubovic said, to do something tangible, instead of just complaining.

— Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of complaining

Adjective

This blatant robbery is the pending bill to ban the 68 Central Park horse carriages.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
The definition further added that neglect should involve blatant disregard of parental responsibilities resulting in a real, significant and imminent risk of harm to the child.

— Jennifer L. Brinkley, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of blatant

Verb

Warren joked, as several audience members had been screaming to hear his hit during his set.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2026
Four pledges at a Texas State University fraternity were arrested on Tuesday after an 18-year-old was allegedly forced into a pickup truck and heard screaming, according to police.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of screaming

Adjective

Among the most politically delicate moves this month came when federal agents searched the home of Omar, one of the most outspoken congressional critics of the president.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
Macklemore's defiant remarks drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users applauding his outspoken activism while others questioned his motives and accused him of being out of touch.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of outspoken

Verb

While the left spent all week whining about Sophie Cunningham's hat and firing squad best practices, us PATRIOTS were biding our time, keeping our heads down, and grinding towards another weekend.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Dogs may actually improve our sleep habits by forcing us to adjust to consistent bedtime schedules — as anyone with a sleepy, whining dog can confirm.

— Gina Vivinetto, NBC news, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of whining

Adjective

There, the nationalist instincts driving Rubio’s speech found more vociferous expression.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2026
The Sun, who now begin the process of relocating to Houston for next season, gave their loyal, vociferous and orange-clad fans a goodbye present, a 95-81 victory over the Toronto Tempo, just a little something to remember them by.

— Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of vociferous

Verb

It's been a big few months for Austin Abrams moaning and groaning his way through some of the worst situations imaginable.

— Megan McCluskey, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
For a cold moment the silence locked a grip on our table, though it was broken, at the edges, by the golf commentators moaning and harrumphing, Rory McIlroy having had a canary on a seventeenth fairway somewhere this championship Sunday.

— Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of moaning

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“Caterwauling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/caterwauling. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of caterwauling

adjective

verb

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