strident

adjective

stri·​dent ˈstrī-dᵊnt 

: characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

a strident voice

also : commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality

strident slogans

stridently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for strident

loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound.

loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.

vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music

a blatant clamor for impeachment

strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Examples of strident in a Sentence

The strident tone in his voice revealed his anger.

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Kennedy, a strident anti-vaccine activist, also appeared to be on a surprisingly smooth path after the Senate voted 53-47 to move forward with his confirmation. —Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 12 Feb. 2025

Trump has tapped Kash Patel, a strident supporter and former federal prosecutor, to take over as the next director of the FBI. —Jim Mustian, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025

Winfrey and Goldberg had become intra-racial foes — no longer likable examples of black American excellence but strident political operatives who exuded exceptional dishonesty: That Quincy intro lacked sisterhood. —Armond White, National Review, 7 Mar. 2025

Proposals for new shelter often receive pushback, yet the opposition to the cabins appears particularly strident. —Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin strident-, stridens, present participle of stridere, stridēre to make a harsh noise

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strident

• trident

Kids Definition

strident

adjective

stri·​dent ˈstrīd-ᵊnt 

: harsh sounding : grating, shrill

a strident voice

stridently adverb