Caterwaul

To utter a loud, shrill, piercing cry or wail, often used to describe the howling of cats, especially during mating season. The term implies a discordant and unpleasant sound, frequently expressing distress, complaint, or aggressive behavior. The sound is often prolonged and can be emotionally charged, representing feelings like fear, anger, or frustration. It can also be used metaphorically to describe human vocalizations that are similarly harsh or unpleasant. The etymology of the word is thought to derive from 'cat' and 'wail' with clear onomatopoeic origins, reflecting the characteristic sound of a cat's cry.

Caterwaul meaning with examples

• The tomcat, driven by hormones, began to caterwaul outside my window at 3 AM, his desperate cries echoing through the silent night and waking the entire neighborhood, a sound that grated on everyone's nerves and threatened to permanently end sleep. The neighbors considered taking drastic measures.
• As the argument escalated, the losing side began to caterwaul about unfair practices and the lack of support, their voices rising in pitch and becoming increasingly shrill, the sound filling the room with a tense energy and quickly becoming unbearable.
• The injured child started to caterwaul when the doctor began examining the wound. His screams of protest filled the clinic, communicating his pain in a way words could never express, making it difficult for anyone to remain calm and collected. The cries were piercing.
• The old, rusty gate began to caterwaul in the wind as the storm approached, its metallic screech adding to the ominous atmosphere, the discordant sound a preview of the chaos and destruction that the brewing storm would likely bring, a sound that sent chills through my spine.