shriek

1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk 

especially Southern ˈsrēk

shrieked; shrieking; shrieks

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a sharp shrill sound

2

a

: to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech

b

: to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression)

… neon colors shrieked for attention.

—Calvin Tomkins

transitive verb

1

: to utter with a shriek

shriek an alarm

2

: to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek

shriek

2 of 2

noun

1

: a shrill usually wild or involuntary cry

2

: a sound resembling a shriek

the shriek of chalk on the blackboard

Synonyms of shriek

Verb

• scream
• squeal
• yell

Examples of shriek in a Sentence

Verb

The birds were shrieking in the trees.

She shrieked when she saw a mouse.

Noun

the shriek of the train's brakes

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The cheerleaders shriek and clap loudly as the women of Sunrise run to center stage, ready to shine. —Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026

His shrieking reactions to his wife’s savagery throw into relief his good nature and her perversity. —Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026

Noun

The shriek of mourning is not a metaphor but an ongoing condition the medium makes material. —Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

Passersby hear its shrieks and moans from the road. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shreken, probably irregular from shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to shriek

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shriek

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

shriek

1 of 2 verb

ˈshrēk 

1

: to utter a sharp shrill cry

2

: to cry out in a high-pitched voice

shriek

2 of 2 noun

: a sharp shrill cry