screech

²screech

verb

Definition of SCREECH

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a high shrill piercing cry : make an outcry usually in terror or pain

2

: to make a shrill high-pitched sound resembling a screech; also : to move with such a sound <the car screeched to a stop>

transitive verb

: to utter with or as if with a screech

— screech·er noun

Examples of SCREECH

1. I screeched when I saw the mouse.
2. He kept screeching at the children to pay attention.
3. “You can't do this to me!” she screeched.

Origin of SCREECH

alteration of earlier scritch, from Middle English scrichen; akin to Old Norse skrækja to screech

First Known Use: 1577

Related to SCREECH

Synonyms: howl, scream, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yelp, yell

Related Words: bay, caterwaul, keen, squawk, wail, yawp (or yaup), yowl; bawl, call, cry, holler, shout, thunder, vociferate

Near Antonyms: murmur, mutter, whisper

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