as in shrill
having a high musical pitch or range
the high-pitched sound of a siren
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of high-pitched
Noise colors can be high-pitched (rapidly vibrating) sounds, low-pitched (slowly vibrating) sounds, or a combination.
—
Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
The sound is urgent, high-pitched, a little terrified, and completely communal — an anthem of permission.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Depending on the keyboard and its modifications, their sound can range from high-pitched and hollow to deep and full.
—Henri Robbins, Wired News, 9 Dec. 2025
Suddenly, the quiet is broken by a voice, high-pitched and smiling.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Another wrong impression involves Morrison’s voice, which seems excited and high-pitched.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
The Nashville singer-songwriter waited a full day with the high-pitched, pulsing sound before calling her doctor to check her ears.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Emergency vehicle sirens are high-pitched, and the rumblings from large trucks are lower-pitched.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
For example, pain cries are often loud, high-pitched and harsh to grab the attention of listeners and elicit aid.
—Katarzyna Pisanski, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2025
Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
The sound is urgent, high-pitched, a little terrified, and completely communal — an anthem of permission.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026
Depending on the keyboard and its modifications, their sound can range from high-pitched and hollow to deep and full.
—Henri Robbins, Wired News, 9 Dec. 2025
Suddenly, the quiet is broken by a voice, high-pitched and smiling.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Another wrong impression involves Morrison’s voice, which seems excited and high-pitched.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2025
The Nashville singer-songwriter waited a full day with the high-pitched, pulsing sound before calling her doctor to check her ears.
—Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
Emergency vehicle sirens are high-pitched, and the rumblings from large trucks are lower-pitched.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025
For example, pain cries are often loud, high-pitched and harsh to grab the attention of listeners and elicit aid.
—Katarzyna Pisanski, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-pitched
shrill
Adjective
-
The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Some cymbal hits came across as slightly shrill thanks to the high-mid emphasis.—
Christian de Looper,
PC Magazine,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“High-pitched.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-pitched. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
