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
Vulture, 3 Apr. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
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
Simon Shuster, Time, 17 July 2025
While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Verb
Harris guest-starred on Seinfeld for 27 episodes as the shrill Estelle Costanza, opposite Jerry Stiller as George’s father, Frank Costanza.
—Vulture, 3 Apr. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
Adjective
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
Noun
With the start of the invasion in 2022, Mironov dropped that charade and became one of the shrillest cheerleaders for Putin and the war.
—Simon Shuster, Time, 17 July 2025
While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
Verb
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Travelers who like to keep busy might shriek at the thought of a five-star resort without a packed schedule of activities to keep them occupied from dawn till sunset, but that's precisely the point.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Aug. 2025
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At dark the wind shrieked across the Alsek River at about 50 knots, slamming the heavy rain horizontally.—
Jim Rearden,
Outdoor Life,
23 July 2025
Noun
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Martinez stars as the titular Lupe, head of a Latinx punk rock band who discovers only her piercing musical scream can stop an alien invasion.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Aug. 2025
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Their two children heard their father scream but did not see the violence, Price said.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Oc Register,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After months of gaining a foster dog's trust, one woman squealed with excitement when the canine finally showed her first sign of accepting the love.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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Book girlies everywhere breathed out a sigh of relief, and then squealed at the TV, as one of the quintessential Belly-Conrad moments from book 3 delivered everything and more.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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People chatter, kids laugh, seagulls screech and birds chirp.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
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Cicadas are back at it again in 2025, already emerging in droves to announce the approach of summer with their screeches.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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However, shortly after his highlight play, things came to a screeching halt for him.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Aug. 2025
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One of the lone bright spots was the return of Atlanta's superstar right fielder and former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. The excitement of watching Acuña in during a down season may have come to a screeching halt on Tuesday.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
Noun
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The squeak of the booths, the clink of the Nick and Nora glasses when your Martini arrives—they’re not illusions or re-creations.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
6 July 2025
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The roar of the crowd, the squeak of sneakers, the nail-biting buzzer-beaters — March Madness is upon us, and Austin is gearing up for a full-court press of basketball fever!—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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Another wrong impression involves Morrison’s voice, which seems excited and high-pitched.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
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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
Noun
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With Bono keeping his Cliffs of Dover yelp in check, Zooropa scales down U2's anthemic-apostles side.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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Their critique is starting to sting, and, consequently, the yelps are getting louder.—
Michael Brendan Dougherty,
National Review,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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