screeching

adjective

screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
Synonyms of screechingnext
: abrupt, sudden
her career came to a screeching halt

Examples of screeching in a Sentence

the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Male peafowl, called peacocks, are known for their screeching calls and plumage, including a long train of feathers that’s displayed during courtship rituals. Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 2026 The Indiana Pacers' run to the NBA Finals last year came to a screeching halt when the team lost Tyrese Haliburton with a torn Achilles in Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 14 Apr. 2026 This ground the project to a screeching halt, according to Vostrejs. Matthew Geiger, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026 Yet by the end, the song explodes into a crushing wall of sound, Day’s voice spawning in triples above a screeching electronica bed. Lydia Wei, Pitchfork, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screeching

Word History

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screeching was in 1904

Cite this Entry

“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screeching. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

screeching

adjective
screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
: sudden sense 1a
her career came to a screeching halt

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