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

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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

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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
But when decisions stall, momentum slows, sometimes to a screeching halt. — Nathan Mitchell, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s apparent attempt to get traded to the Washington Commanders in the offseason may have come to a screeching halt. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
Verb
Wild video of that car takeover shared by Wong on social media showed multiple cars doing tire-screeching donuts near a ring of fire on the street, with a passenger in one car holding a large Palestinian flag out its window before cops arrived. — Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026 There was unexpected wildlife – a screeching macaque and a viper slithering across a path. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for screeching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screeching
  1. shrill
  2. shrieking
  3. screaming
  4. squealing
  5. yelling
Adjective
  • But about five minutes later, a sharp cracking sound momentarily replaced the shrill squeal of sirens, and the top half of the South Tower imploded, bringing the entire thing down.
    — Timothy Townsend, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The shrill call of the shofar ensures no one falls asleep during lengthy Jewish High Holy Day services each year.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of shrill
Verb
  • The addition of the electric guitar, drums and Jack White’s shrieking vocals transformed it into a rock song, while also keeping its signature folksiness.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of shrieking
Verb
  • Most of the audience shots this year are screaming fans, whose enthusiasm is cute but not especially interesting.
    — Isabella Albaig, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Day is relieving tension from his long travel day, screaming wildly for his co-worker David.
    — Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • Each of its elements began, long ago, in the loamy earth, hatching and creeping or slipping, slick and squealing, from the womb of the mind.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
  • 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
Definition of squealing
Verb
  • But instead of formulating a plan, the suit argued, the officers began yelling at him.
    — Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Broadrick has said that Godflesh’s forthcoming final album, The End, will be more avant-garde — no yelling necessary.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of yelling

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screeches
screeching
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Cite this Entry

“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screeching. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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