as in to scream
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the children shrieked with excitement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 shriek
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
When Carol directs her shrieking rage directly into Zosia’s face, all of We feels it, the entirety of the human race falling to the ground with seizures.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Led by blaring ‘80s synthesizers and a pounding beat, the song features a distorted lead vocal from D’Angelo, who accompanies himself on multitracked backing vocals with the occasional soul shriek thrown in for good measure.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Verb
The television studio serves as the Colosseum, with a live audience whipped into a frenzy and shrieking for blood while following the action on a jumbo screen.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
When Carol directs her shrieking rage directly into Zosia’s face, all of We feels it, the entirety of the human race falling to the ground with seizures.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
Then, like an alarm clock, howler monkeys unleashed their banshee shriek, staking their territory as the sun rose.
—Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025
Led by blaring ‘80s synthesizers and a pounding beat, the song features a distorted lead vocal from D’Angelo, who accompanies himself on multitracked backing vocals with the occasional soul shriek thrown in for good measure.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shriek
Verb
-
Heads hung low, players consoling one another or screaming obscenities at no one in particular, the care factor off the charts.—
Mirjam Swanson The Orange County Register,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Kelly and others screaming such obscenities as parishioners enter and exit the sanctuary has culminated in the parish’s requests for police escorts.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This not-quite-title song, which is nearly eight minutes long, is a sort of mini-suite, opening with a dog barking, giving way to an acoustic-guitar melody accompanying polyphonic vocals, then becoming electric and crashingly alive, until the relentless screech of a guitar drags you to the end.—
Hanif Abdurraqib,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
-
As the band blares, Georgia fans bark for the Dawgs and Alabama faithful screech Roll Tide.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
9 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
-
One moment that had fans squealing online was Williams’ interview with Gayle King, which included playing table hockey and a cheeky comment.—
Carolyn Burt,
Oc Register,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The book is closely argued but at times shrill and inconsistent.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The Ochi speak, not with words, but sounds—melodic shrills that reverberate in the air and can be interpreted on an emotional level.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Except Homer is wearing a backwards baseball cap, yelling about Minecraft, and asking his audience to smash the like button.—
Ryan Craig,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Lavrenov is still pumping his fist and yelling to no one in particular after an inspired play because of what the sport means to him.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Materials quality is quite good, and there’s nary a squeak or rattle to be heard while out and about, rolling over everyday roads and highways.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Two microphones angle towards the duduk to capture resonant moans, creaks, squeaks and honks akin to the bridge’s.—
Ruby Rosenthal,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
They are pinched into a bright, almost surgical nasality or burst loose into grand, sideways arcs, flaring out in a feral yelp.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
21 Dec. 2025
-
The growls and snarls of his hounds had turned to yelps and shrieks.—
John McCoy,
Outdoor Life,
12 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriek. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
