strident

adjective

stri·​dent ˈstrī-dᵊnt 

: characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound

a strident voice

also : commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality

strident slogans

stridently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for strident

loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound.

loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.

vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music

a blatant clamor for impeachment

strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Examples of strident in a Sentence

The strident tone in his voice revealed his anger.

Recent Examples on the Web

Under his leadership, Harvard has made tangible progress with even the most strident critics agreeing Harvard is making great progress. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 1 Feb. 2026

No Kings hasn’t been hijacked by leftist groups with more extreme agendas, spouting strident anti-American language that’s bound to repel ordinary people. —George Packer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026

Opposing the war might ruin the nation, so political dissidents had to be stopped, and the court affirmed the government’s right to silence strident speakers. —Stephanie A, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2026

Although no plans were ever revealed, GEO used to own a 40-acre site in Hobart on West 49th Avenue where there was strident opposition from residents and city officials. —Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin strident-, stridens, present participle of stridere, stridēre to make a harsh noise

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for strident

• trident

Kids Definition

strident

adjective

stri·​dent ˈstrīd-ᵊnt 

: harsh sounding : grating, shrill

a strident voice

stridently adverb