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

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

Screaming and shrieking, the drama between the bridesmaids is thick. —Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025

Once all is shrieked and done, though, what’s left is a faux-prestige screed that’s 100 percent #OhHellNo! —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025

Noun

Led by blaring ‘80s synthesizers and a pounding beat, the song features a distorted lead vocal from D’Angelo, who accompanies himself on multitracked backing vocals with the occasional soul shriek thrown in for good measure. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025

After the shrieks stop, the clip shows the substantial crack Denny left behind. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025

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