screeching

1 of 2

adjective

screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ 

: abrupt, sudden

her career came to a screeching halt

screeching

2 of 2

present participle of screech entry 2

Synonyms of screeching

Adjective

• shrill
• shrieking
• whistling

Examples of screeching in a Sentence

Adjective

the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Chinese government back then took NBA games off state television, apparel was removed from stores, and decades of growth for the league in China ground to a screeching halt. — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2026

In the bystander’s footage from behind, a screeching noise is heard before the Tahoe jolts forward. — Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026

Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026

Screeching was heard by residents Before the recent barn owl sightings, Williams and her husband heard periodic screeching noises outside going back to early September. — Joseph B. Frederick, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing screeching

• screeching/crashing halt

Rhymes for screeching

• bleaching
• breaching
• breeching
• leaching
• preaching
• reaching
• teaching
• beseeching
• impeaching
• overreaching

Kids Definition

screeching

adjective

screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ 

: sudden sense 1a

her career came to a screeching halt