as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shrieking
having a high musical pitch or range
the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of shrill
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
His stories — consider his short films Juice (2017) and Geeli Pucchi (2021) — aren’t didactic or shrill.
—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Joe’s voice rose to a shrill cry.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Hazlitt,
20 Dec. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—
Essence,
23 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Verb
The shrieks and shrills filled the room.
—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
His stories — consider his short films Juice (2017) and Geeli Pucchi (2021) — aren’t didactic or shrill.
—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
In turn, the tone has changed around Newcastle these past few days; less shrill, less edgy, less perilous.
—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Joe’s voice rose to a shrill cry.
—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
There has never been—knock on all wood—a bite, not even when that territorial shih tzu on Fawn Street broke away from its owner and chased us off the block with a shrill, honestly quite aggressive, warning.
—
Hazlitt,
20 Dec. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—
Essence,
23 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
Verb
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Say something loudly and calmly — don’t shriek!
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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.
Adjective
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Clive Rose / Getty Images SPIELBERG, Austria — The hopes around Ferrari came to a screeching halt in the Styrian mountains.
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That rushing attack was ground to a screeching halt, though, as Pitt came into Morgantown and upset the Mountaineers by the now infamous 13-9 scoreline.
Noun
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The delighted screams were coming from a man wearing a Mexico soccer jersey in the first row.
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Alicent fights back and is ultimately rescued by Grand Maester Orwyle, who hears her screams.
Verb
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Pigs that were being hauled by the semi could be heard squealing at the scene.
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Automatic weapons blasting, tires squealing, the whole bit.
Adjective
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Female eagles often repeat a solitary soft but high-pitched note.
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Noise colors can be high-pitched (rapidly vibrating) sounds, low-pitched (slowly vibrating) sounds, or a combination.
Noun
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Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
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Guests range from ordinary commuters to figures like Cate Blanchett and Julian Casablancas, all subject to the same fluorescent lighting and ambient subway screech.
Noun
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The vocal repertoire consisted of at least seven different squeak types.
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Others reported a persistent squeak.
Noun
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Some yelp in pain after stepping barefoot on a peanut or toy.
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Lee's voice has always been Sui generis, a distinctive instrument caught between a whine and a yelp yet immediately recognizable.
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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