as in shrill
having a high musical pitch or range
the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shrieking
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the toddler screeched in anger when her stuffed rabbit was taken away
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 screeching
Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
In New York, construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project to improve commuter rail service came to a screeching halt in early February after the federal government cut off funds.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The sound of screeching truck brakes comes from behind, followed by a massive commotion.
—Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screeching
Adjective
Taylor Frankie Paul‘s turn as the star of The Bachelorette has come to a screeching halt after ABC opted to shelve the premiere.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2026
In New York, construction on the Hudson Tunnel Project to improve commuter rail service came to a screeching halt in early February after the federal government cut off funds.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
Probably some screeching guitar solos, a thunderous set from the drummer, all while the lead singer is handling everything in between?
—Kansas City Star, 21 Feb. 2026
The sound of screeching truck brakes comes from behind, followed by a massive commotion.
—Wyles Daniel, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for screeching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screeching
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
Verb
-
The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
When his kids melted down and started shrieking over the usual tantrum-inducing nonsense that sometimes sets off 4-year-olds, Buttigieg looked around nervously, gathered his family, and left the shop fast.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Authorities say Valdez had multiple untreated mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, and that he had been seen in Concord earlier in the day screaming at cars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Williams was celebrating an offensive foul called against Doncic by gleefully screaming in Doncic's personal space.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Every moment of euphoria is obfuscated by distortion, every pop impulse is undercut by squealing dissonance.—
Colin Joyce,
Pitchfork,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Something’s always smoking or squealing with these boys, huh?—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But even beyond the hurt in their voices, the biggest thing to come from the clip is a commentator yelling for a technical foul after the instantly iconic shot by Braylon Mullins to win the game.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
-
After a few moments of yelling, Shelton was ejected from the game.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screeching. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
