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

There was always the risk that he could be associated with more strident calls for change and earn the ire of his superiors. —Joseph Torigian, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025

Like any journal of ideas, some of its positions did not age well (notably its strident opposition to the Civil Rights Movement), but other ideas became bedrock principles of the Republican Party. —Terry W. Hartle, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025

Warsaw has been one of Kyiv's most strident supporters. —Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 June 2025

The Shaun of the Dead star is preparing to start filming Harry Potter this summer, but is not concerned by the risk that the lavish series could be overshadowed by Rowling’s strident views on gender issues. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 9 June 2025

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