Definition of shrill
transitive verb
intransitive verb
:to utter or emit an acute piercing sound
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Examples of shrill in a Sentence
the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist
Origin and Etymology of shrill
Definition of shrill
1 a
:having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound :piercing
b
:accompanied by sharp high-pitched sounds or cries
- shrill gaiety
2
:having a sharp or vivid effect on the senses
- shrill light
3
:strident, intemperate
- shrill anger
- shrill criticism
Examples of shrill in a Sentence
the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle
Recent Examples of shrill from the Web
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Misandry was the coin of the feminist-internet realm and, to me, eye-rolling felt more persuasive than shrill political correctness.
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The producer tacks on infectious, shrill electronic effects and snappy percussion, culminating in a cascade of zippy synths and fat, simmering bass.
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From a quick Facebook post, here are some goodies: Women (never men) are described as well-preserved, bossy, emotional, perky, shrill, feisty, stuck up, and smart cookies.
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Despite challenges in tuning the edgy harmonics, this was a brilliant rendition, shrill trills gilding the line, the strings chasing the piano’s statement and ending altogether with an emphatic punctuation.
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And look, this is not the shrill screeching of a harpy shrieking that Spider-Man: Homecoming is sexist.
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While Indian media have issued shrill warnings about Chinese expansionism, Chinese state media have also ramped up their bellicose rhetoric, with the nationalist tabloid Global Times warning Wednesday that Beijing would make no concessions.
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And there have for years been strong followings for its more shrill commentators.
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Gyllenhaal as a shrill sell-out Brian Fellows type; Tilda Swinton as a disingenuous corporate adolescent; Paul Dano as a slim suit-wearing ecoterrorist.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of shrill
14th century
shrill Synonyms
Synonyms
high-pitched, piping, screeching, shrieking, squeaking, squeaky, treble, whistlingAntonyms
bass, deep, grave, low, throatyRelated Words
peeping, thin, tinny; earsplitting, nasal, penetrating, piercing, sharp, strident; squealing, whining, whiny (also whiney), yapping, yelpingNear Antonyms
gruff, hoarse, husky, rough, smoky (also smokey)Recent Examples of shrill from the Web
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Inside a lobby of a downtown Tuscaloosa hotel, the shrill of a phone ring echoes.
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Inside are piles of shrill and whining piccolo petes, neon flame-spouting blazing rebels and mounds of sparklers.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shrill.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of shrill
1589
SHRILL Defined for English Language Learners
shrill
play
verb
Definition of shrill for English Language Learners
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: to make a very loud, high-pitched sound
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: to say (something) in a very loud, high-pitched voice
shrill
adjective
Definition of shrill for English Language Learners
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: having a very loud, high-pitched sound
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: loud and difficult to ignore but often unreasonable
SHRILL Defined for Kids
Definition of shrill for Students
shrilled;
shrilling
1
:to make a high-pitched usually piercing sound
2
:to say in a loud high-pitched voice
- “Will!” a voice shrilled, and Mary came flying up the drive.
- —Susan Cooper, The Dark is Rising
Learn More about shrill
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See words that rhyme with shrill Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for shrill Spanish Central: Translation of shrill Nglish: Translation of shrill for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of shrill for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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