scream 1 of 2

verb

ˈskrēm How to pronounce scream (audio)
Definition of screamnext
1
as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally we screamed when the roller coaster began its 30-foot plunge

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2
as in to laugh
to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound you'll scream when you see the outfit that she's wearing

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3
as in to complain
to express dissatisfaction, pain, or resentment usually tiresomely angry residents screamed that their neighborhood still hadn't been plowed a week after the snowstorm

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scream

2 of 2

noun

as in hoot
someone or something that is very funny that new comedy is a scream

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scream
Verb
Lewy body dementia symptoms tend to start with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, such as screaming or kicking during sleep. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 His dad had even seen it; a form atop a hill at a local farm, screaming at the moonlight. — Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Noun
The scream was out of character for a professional writer, entirely in character for a proud father. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026 In ghost stories that circulate by word of mouth on Mount Desert Island, the screams of those left behind can still be heard. — Marcus Librizzi, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scream
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scream
  1. shriek
  2. laugh
  3. complain
  4. hoot
  5. squeal
  6. giggle
  7. whine
  8. riot
Verb
  • Twenty minutes later my bleep shrieked at me from my lapel, and I was given my very first job as a junior doctor.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
  • When the humor shifted abruptly from shrieking and pratfalls to more subtle witticism, the audience was fine with that as long as things stayed light, funny and uncomplicated.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of shriek
Verb
  • Aaron Donald is still laughing about his botched chance to score against the Chargers, and spent Thursday scooping up fumbles.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
  • There were a lot of tics that night, and some made people laugh, which is a natural response.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of laugh
Verb
  • Someone else even complained about the self-clean feature ruining their appliance.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2026
  • By July, morale among immigration officers had dipped below its nadir during the Biden Administration, with agents now complaining of being overextended, inundated with novice recruits, and undermined by inflammatory rhetoric from on high.
    — Francisco Cantú, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of complain
Noun
  • Closer to home there’s The Invite’s Olivia Wilde, who is a hoot as a tightly wound yuppie, and who could make history as the first woman to direct herself to an acting nomination.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Whyte is a hoot, and her thick-as-thieves chemistry with Horgan a delight.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of hoot
Verb
  • This time of year, the ranch’s Duroc, Hampshire and Berkshire cross hogs are paddocked along a slough, grunting and squealing under the canopy of oak and walnut trees.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Try not to squeal like a 5-year-old when the foot-tall sparkler speared into the sundae is lit.
    — Lisa Shames, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of squeal
Verb
  • In one photo, Ray’s sister Ruby held up the giggling infant, making kissy faces at the baby wrapped up in a blanket.
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Last episode, Jelly and Devin were out there giggling on the beach like Will and Grace with sand stuck in their coochies.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of giggle
Verb
  • Just thank God you were born female and stop whining over your bad choices.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike last year when Texas coach Steve Sarkisian whined about his non-conference schedule, his main complaint this year will be his conference schedule.
    — Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of whine
Noun
  • Similarly, Mace fell out with the president after the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, with the congresswoman saying his legacy had been wiped out and that he should be held accountable for the attack.
    — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The country has also been rocked by weeks of mass protests over the soaring cost of living and conditions in schools which escalated into violent riots.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of riot

Browse Nearby Words

scrawny
scream
screamed
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Cite this Entry

“Scream.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scream. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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