as in shrill
having a high musical pitch or range
shrieking horns of impatient drivers stuck in a traffic jam
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in screaming
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the children shrieked with excitement
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 shrieking
Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile below, Frank chases Havlock through the dam’s tunnels on a snowmobile, the machine shrieking against concrete.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
His nine children sat at the foot of the stage shrieking their approval whenever his speech crescendoed.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 17 Nov. 2025
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
In the black and white clip, which appeared to be taken inside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private theater room, Harry and Zajfen were seen sitting in chairs while Markle was heard shrieking excitedly off camera.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Screaming and shrieking, the drama between the bridesmaids is thick.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025
As Linda literally fights with the rodent in the car (with her shrieking daughter in the backseat), it gets flung out the window and becomes roadkill.
—Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
This seems to me as offensive to rationality as a saint shrieking into the air.
—Christian Wiman, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Meanwhile below, Frank chases Havlock through the dam’s tunnels on a snowmobile, the machine shrieking against concrete.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 5 Dec. 2025
His nine children sat at the foot of the stage shrieking their approval whenever his speech crescendoed.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 17 Nov. 2025
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
In the black and white clip, which appeared to be taken inside the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's private theater room, Harry and Zajfen were seen sitting in chairs while Markle was heard shrieking excitedly off camera.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2025
Screaming and shrieking, the drama between the bridesmaids is thick.
—Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 10 Oct. 2025
As Linda literally fights with the rodent in the car (with her shrieking daughter in the backseat), it gets flung out the window and becomes roadkill.
—Rachel Brodsky, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrieking
Adjective
-
There’s a straight line between the criminal investigation of Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell and increasingly shrill threats to seize Greenland.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Jan. 2026
-
With sports gambling legalized throughout much of the country and growing rapidly, the NCAA and the sports gambling industry should be hearing shrill alarm bells in this indictment and acting accordingly.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Under the watchful eye of sheriffs deputies who threatened to ticket anyone caught standing in the road, along with a small number of National Guard members, the protesters took turns screaming swears and warming up in nearby parked cars.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
28 Jan. 2026
-
An exodus of prosecutors who didn’t care for his staff screaming sessions and boorish press conferences.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Cheers alum regaled how his mom showed up on set of Indecent Proposal squealing like a 16-year old in her fandom of Redford, who warmly received her.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
23 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
Verb
-
In another video shared by Vazquez, as a seemingly unarmed neighbor stands yelling, a police officer can be seen placing his hand on his gun.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Hands are visible shortly before shooting Another video, taken across the street from where the shooting occurred, shows protesters yelling at officers during the immigration enforcement operation.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shrieking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrieking. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
