squeal

Plural: squeals

Noun

a high-pitched howl
A high-pitched sound, such as the scream of a child or a female person, or noisy worn-down brake pads.
The cry of a pig.

Verb

Verb Forms: squealed, squealing, squeals

To utter a sharp, shrill cry or sound.
utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
To scream with a shrill, prolonged sound.
To make a squealing noise. (of an object)
To give sensitive information about someone to a third party; to rat on someone.

Examples

Opponents might SQUEAL in protest when a rare Z-word drops on a triple.
The brakes squeal terribly.
The children squealed with delight while opening their Christmas presents.
You'd better not squeal on me to the cops.

Origin / Etymology

Inherited from Middle English squelen, probably from Old Norse skvala (“to squeal, bawl”), from Proto-Germanic *skwel- (“to chatter, babble, scream”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *skel-, from *kelh₁- (“to ring, resound, cry”). Compare Old Norse skval (“a squeal”, noun), Swedish skvallra (“to babble, chatter, tell on”).

Synonyms

confess, fink, oink, grass up, inform, snitch

Scrabble Score: 15

squeal: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
squeal: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
squeal: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

squeal: valid Words With Friends Word