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
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Recent Examples of shrill
Vulture, 3 Apr. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2022
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly shrill brand of Hindu nationalism has inflamed religious animosity within the country.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 9 June 2022
Will Ripley, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Obstacles include Lockwood’s shrill, untalented co-star Luna Lamont and clueless movie execs who are unprepared for a creative and technological revolution of movies with soundtracks.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Verb
Harris guest-starred on Seinfeld for 27 episodes as the shrill Estelle Costanza, opposite Jerry Stiller as George’s father, Frank Costanza.
—Vulture, 3 Apr. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
Adjective
This device is very loud and shrill when operating.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2022
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly shrill brand of Hindu nationalism has inflamed religious animosity within the country.
—Sadanand Dhume, WSJ, 9 June 2022
Noun
While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters.
—Will Ripley, CNN Money, 17 July 2025
Obstacles include Lockwood’s shrill, untalented co-star Luna Lamont and clueless movie execs who are unprepared for a creative and technological revolution of movies with soundtracks.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
Verb
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Travelers who like to keep busy might shriek at the thought of a five-star resort without a packed schedule of activities to keep them occupied from dawn till sunset, but that's precisely the point.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Aug. 2025
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At dark the wind shrieked across the Alsek River at about 50 knots, slamming the heavy rain horizontally.—
Jim Rearden,
Outdoor Life,
23 July 2025
Noun
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The scream, the adults in the living room knocking over chairs and flying towards the terrace, Mr. Tiago and the boy’s father diving in with their clothes on and everything, the women standing at the pool’s edge in panic, crying.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
6 Aug. 2025
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On an unseasonably cool August evening with scattered rain clouds in the area, the screams of several dozen people would soon fill the air near the banks of the Missouri River.—
Dominick Williams
August 6,
Kansas City Star,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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After months of gaining a foster dog's trust, one woman squealed with excitement when the canine finally showed her first sign of accepting the love.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Aug. 2025
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Book girlies everywhere breathed out a sigh of relief, and then squealed at the TV, as one of the quintessential Belly-Conrad moments from book 3 delivered everything and more.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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People chatter, kids laugh, seagulls screech and birds chirp.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Aug. 2025
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Cicadas are back at it again in 2025, already emerging in droves to announce the approach of summer with their screeches.—
Jack Knudson,
Discover Magazine,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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One of the lone bright spots was the return of Atlanta's superstar right fielder and former MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. The excitement of watching Acuña in during a down season may have come to a screeching halt on Tuesday.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
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The Tatum injury sent Boston’s dynastic rise into a screeching halt.—
Kristian Winfield,
Hartford Courant,
23 June 2025
Noun
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Otherwise, despite some groans and squeaks after seven months of heavy use (including a couple of tween sleepovers), the couch is still beautiful and sturdy.—
Louryn Strampe,
Wired News,
1 Aug. 2025
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While it’s not used on actual babies much anymore due to health concerns, a sprinkle of baby powder can quiet squeaks, remove sand, absorb oil, and more.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Another wrong impression involves Morrison’s voice, which seems excited and high-pitched.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2025
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The Nashville singer-songwriter waited a full day with the high-pitched, pulsing sound before calling her doctor to check her ears.—
Adrianna Rodriguez,
USA Today,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
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He is heard letting out a yelp and seen crouching down moments before the homeowners get to the door.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
19 July 2025
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Sergeant Darrell McMann of the Atmore Police Department told WALA that neighbors reported hearing yelps coming from inside the home before deputies arrived on the scene.—
Sabienna Bowman,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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