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
Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
Like, watched it all the way through from the shrill opening filled with obnoxious kids to the leadenly staged slapstick climax?
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
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
Alecia lets out a shrill whistle and the shadowy figures of our campmates stand up around the fire, applauding.
—Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
Like, watched it all the way through from the shrill opening filled with obnoxious kids to the leadenly staged slapstick climax?
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
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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The number of shrieking arguments in The Light is high even by the standards of the most extreme German angst.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Feb. 2025
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As Vance’s troubled mother, Adams shrieks a lot, which is not her specialty.—
Matthew Jacobs,
Vulture,
6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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The last part of the 911 call contains nothing but ear-piercing screams from two of Franklins’ sons, then aged 9 and 5, who witnessed it all.—
Nate Gartrell,
The Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2025
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At first a distant roar, everyone’s screams were drowned out by the first of the top rally cars tearing past.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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One of the first major highlights showed the moment Mei Xiang birthed a squealing Xiao Qi Ji and cradled her newborn cub.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
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One day, when the cat in our local bodega poked its head out of the store, Ellie squealed like a child.—
Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The jungle struck up its evening symphony: the sweet chittering of insects, the distant bellowing of monkeys, the occasional screech of a kite.—
Charlie Cordero,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2025
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But as the race against former President Trump screeches into its final week, joy has taken the back seat.—
David Lauter,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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The Baltimore Ravens' season came to a screeching halt in their Divisional Playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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Sadly, the Ferrari’s promising racing career came to a screeching halt when French gendarmes seized the car at the Paris Orly airport parking lot—something about a dispute between Monsieur Fayen and the French tax authorities.—
Howard Walker,
Robb Report,
23 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Loud hums, squeaks, and rattles: While many old dishwashers do emit a loud hum, sometimes this can be caused by a problem with a pump.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2025
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However, instead of a traditional meow, the kitten can only manage a tiny squeak.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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These frogs live along fast-flowing streams in mountainous areas of Madagascar, and with such loud background noise, their calls may be especially high-pitched to be heard by other frogs over the sound of the water, according to Scherz.—
Olivia Ferrari,
Smithsonian Magazine,
21 Nov. 2024
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When Stutz spoke again, his voice was weak and high-pitched, all the vitality drained out of it.—
Lila Shapiro,
Vulture,
30 July 2024
Noun
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The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the nominations for the 97th Oscars this morning, and as usual, there were yelps of joy throughout the land: Viva Anora!—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Jan. 2025
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Hunters often make a series of five to seven yelps.—
Alex Robinson,
Outdoor Life,
1 May 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near shrill
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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