shriek

1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk 

 especially Southern  ˈsrēk

shrieked; shrieking; shrieks

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a sharp shrill sound

2

a

: to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech

b

: to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression)

neon colors shrieked for attention

—Calvin Tomkins

transitive verb

1

: to utter with a shriek

shriek an alarm

2

: to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek

shriek

2 of 2

noun

1

: a shrill usually wild or involuntary cry

2

: a sound resembling a shriek

the shriek of chalk on the blackboard

Synonyms

Verb

• howl
• scream
• screech
• shrill
• squall
• squeal
• yell
• yelp

Examples of shriek in a Sentence

Verb

The birds were shrieking in the trees.

She shrieked when she saw a mouse.

Noun

the shriek of the train's brakes

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Other passengers could be heard laughing and shrieking, rightfully so. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2024

Baby Freddy rips his way out, shrieking so loud the windows shatter. —Michael Lee Simpson, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

But the most offensive performance of the film belongs to Amy Adams, who shrieks, squeals, and flails through scene after dreadful scene. —Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024

Olivia recorded the sounds of panicked journalists and attendees alike huddled along the press riser and bicycle racks separating us, the shrieks of scared children, and, realized only upon listening many times since, the sound of those around Corey Comperatore yelling for assistance. —Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shreken, probably irregular from shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to shriek

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shriek

1 of 2 verb

ˈshrēk 

1

: to utter a sharp shrill cry

2

: to cry out in a high-pitched voice

shriek

2 of 2 noun

: a sharp shrill cry