as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shrieking
having a high musical pitch or range
the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shrill
Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2022
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly shrill brand of Hindu nationalism has inflamed religious animosity within the country.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 9 June 2022
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Then there are the vitriolic anonymous posts that take on the shrill tone and tenor of a schoolyard back and forth.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
The sudden shrill is as jarring as the sound of breaking glass and does equal damage to the video call’s momentum.
—Stacey Hanke, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Verb
This device is very loud and shrill when operating.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2022
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly shrill brand of Hindu nationalism has inflamed religious animosity within the country.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 9 June 2022
Adjective
He’s gone up higher for other roles before, like his shrill turn as a rotten southern preacher in The Devil All the Time and his sassy French accent in The King.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2025
Then there are the vitriolic anonymous posts that take on the shrill tone and tenor of a schoolyard back and forth.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
The sudden shrill is as jarring as the sound of breaking glass and does equal damage to the video call’s momentum.
—Stacey Hanke, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
Verb
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Ozturk shrieked in fear as the officers — some of whom wore sunglasses — then covered their noses and mouths.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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As soon as the actress shrieked to indicate that something was amiss, her costar, Justin Theroux, jumped up and stood behind her to begin fixing the garment.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
13 Mar. 2025
Noun
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At less visible moments, their whispers and screams change the word one artwork at a time.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
9 Apr. 2025
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More importantly, not only will every other part of your new CLE scream AMG, but the car cover and fuel cap will, too.—
Erik Shilling,
Robb Report,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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As usual, guitarist Angus Young existed in his own world and cranked out a steady stream of power chords and squealing solos, all while — at the age of 70 — dressed like a schoolboy.—
Ross Raihala,
Twin Cities,
11 Apr. 2025
-
The couple squealed and giggled in the fitting room.—
Sadiba Hasan,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
One-take monologues are sliced in half, plot twists pause mid-gasp, and a car chase sequence screeches to a halt.—
Viren Naidu,
IndieWire,
24 Mar. 2025
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While not functional, the shiny cars served as props for young kids to vape, scroll on their phones, and screech on top of.—
Tiana Randall,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Compounding the issue is the global flow of goods coming to a screeching halt if the economy worsens.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
7 Apr. 2025
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However, the honeymoon phase comes to a screeching halt on April 7, when Venus joins Saturn in a pragmatic conjunction.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Juliana is one of those people who express positive emotions with a high-pitched squeak.—
Ali Barthwell,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
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And if that’s not strange enough, this tiny creature barks, squeaks and even screams when threatened.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Sounds can also be high-pitched or very low and can come and go or maintain a more constant presence.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2025
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Emergency vehicle sirens are high-pitched, and the rumblings from large trucks are lower-pitched.—
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi,
Discover Magazine,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Bonobos, great apes related to us and chimpanzees that live in the Republic of Congo, communicate with vocal calls including peeps, hoots, yelps, grunts, and whistles.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2025
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Instead, the yelps and clucks from three calls orchestrated by Dr. H. S. (Buck) Banton had resulted in our facing down a pair of Alabama gobblers in an area that didn’t have a single turkey before 1956.—
Dave Duffey,
Outdoor Life,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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