screeching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
Definition of screechingnext
as in shrill
having a high musical pitch or range the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screeching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of screech
as in shrieking
to cry out loudly and emotionally the toddler screeched in anger when her stuffed rabbit was taken away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 screeching
Adjective
Clive Rose / Getty Images SPIELBERG, Austria — The hopes around Ferrari came to a screeching halt in the Styrian mountains. — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 July 2026 All that progress now comes to a screeching halt while Blue Origin investigates the cause of New Glenn's explosion and faces the task of rebuilding LC-36. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
All the fingernails-on-chalkboard screeching out of Washington. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 One of the site’s 36 pillars — the tallest one in the middle — could be a perch for a big, pink, screeching bird. — Ryan Steven Green, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for screeching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screeching
  1. shrill
  2. shrieking
  3. screaming
  4. squealing
  5. yelling
Adjective
  • Amid the rumblings of construction at nearby David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the sound of a shrill whistle and chopping feet at the nearby Murfin Family Practice Fields signaled one thing.
    — Christian Marshall, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026
  • That trademark indecision of summer takes root in her words and spreads through the music until her vocals diverge in the chorus, peeling like a clementine’s skin as one shrill line scales upward and the other remains monotone.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026
Definition of shrill
Verb
  • The other customers cowered in the corners, while crowds formed at the windows outside, shrieking and recording the scene on their phones.
    — Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
  • Kids are shrieking through their favorite splash pads, faces sticky with Bomb Pop juice and joy.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
Definition of shrieking
Verb
  • Children in school uniforms are then seen screaming and rushing for an exit.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a lot of laughing and screaming [performance] notes across the open water.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • Video shot by OnScene TV on August 9 showed people rushing in and out of the store, some carrying merchandise, as roaring engines and squealing tires are heard in the background.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Who's signing up for France's annual pig-squealing championship?
    — Amber Harding OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of squealing
Verb
  • Ring camera footage captured a car speeding away and yelling moments before shots were fired.
    — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • The homeowner pulled up his camera feeds, saw the men outside, and decided to confront them -- yelling at the men and turning on more lights.
    — Abigail Velez, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of yelling

Browse Nearby Words

screeches
screeching
screen
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Cite this Entry

“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screeching. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screeching

Nglish: Translation of screeching for Spanish Speakers

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