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Definition of shrill
transitive verb
: scream
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
Middle English; probably akin to Old English scrallettan to resound loudly — more at skirl
shrill
Definition of shrill
1a : having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound : piercingb : 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
shrill
adverbshrillness
nounExamples of shrill in a Sentence
the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle
Recent Examples of shrill from the Web
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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.
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Then again, at least there's some nuance in Dano's role, as opposed to the shrill cartoons with which the normally reliable Swinton and Gyllenhaal are saddled.
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After Trump’s sour, shrill withdrawal from Paris, though, Merkel isn’t likely to be the one who is alone.
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Of all the songs that Jones performed Wednesday night, this one sounded the most like a rock song, with the shrill sound of a wailing guitar over a strong bass beat keeping a quick pace.
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To be sure, the last three presidencies before Trump have been dogged by shrill threats of impeachment, in Bill Clinton’s case successfully.
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Ladies and germs, this is Neil Hamburger, the boorish, often shrill, tuxedo-clad, sad-sack alter ego of comedian Gregg Turkington.
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As Sandrine Rousseau, a Green Party legislator, pointed out, Ms. Le Pen’s speaking voice is deep, overcoming what Ms. Rousseau says is a frequent criticism of female politicians as shrill.
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
Definition of shrill
: a shrill sound the shrill of the ship's whistle
Recent Examples of shrill from the Web
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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
playDefinition 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
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
Definition of shrill for Students
shriller
;shrillest
: having a high-pitched usually piercing sound a shrill whistle
shrillness
nounshrilly
\ˈshril-lē\ adverb She spoke shrilly.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
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