shriek 1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk How to pronounce shriek (audio)
Definition of shrieknext
as in to scream
to cry out loudly and emotionally the children shrieked with excitement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shriek

2 of 2

noun

as in scream

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Dissimilar Words

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
Verb
Fans shrieked and hollered as every player in the realmwide war — Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), the Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint) and his nemesis Lohar (Abigail Thorn) — popped up. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Now, if there was just some way to go back and re-edit a supercut without Kate Capshaw's squealing and shrieking. — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 June 2026
Noun
Euphoric shrieks filled the Harbor of the East River as soon as the Knicks clinched. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026 Harris spares audiences the bloody image, but the sound of the boy’s imploring shrieks is nevertheless haunting. — Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shriek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shriek
  1. scream
  2. screech
  3. squeal
  4. shrill
  5. yell
  6. squeak
  7. yelp
Verb
  • Hathaway screams into a walkie talkie, encouraging them to jump out of the building.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Then, as the sparks fly behind him and the crowd screams in astonishment, the throat-busting roar of triumph.
    — Rob Tanner, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • The screech of guitar feedback echoed from a makeshift stage outside, where a punk-rock band had just launched into their set, a fitting accompaniment to the bar’s kaleidoscopic selection of beer.
    — Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
  • La Vierge de Fer contrasts the delicate fruit and a lily note with the screech of cold metal, sparkling aldehydes, and lilting sandalwood.
    — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of screech
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 squeal
Noun
  • No stomping rhythms here, no shrill blasts in unison, no sweaty masculinity souring the air, no red faces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Conversely, the drum tones fluctuate between sloshy and shrill, either contributing to the chaos or cutting through like a fire alarm.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of shrill
Verb
  • Those who drive past our protests and yell insults or flip us the bird are to be pitied.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The film focused on a young Black reenactor at a historical slave plantation museum in the Midwest who yells at tourists and fights with the town’s racist mayor — played by Parker — was reportedly slated to go into production in the summer of 2024.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of yell
Noun
  • The mice used some of the squeaks within their nests and others on the fringes of their territory.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
  • Others reported a persistent squeak.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Definition of squeak
Noun
  • However, the chances of hearing a yelp from below are highly unlikely due to planes’ thick insulation and engine noise.
    — Joey Skladany, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Dropping the volume on your foot would cause an agonized and very non-silent yelp.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of yelp

Browse Nearby Words

shrews
shriek
shrieked
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriek. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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