strident

adjective

stri·​dent ˈstrī-dᵊnt How to pronounce strident (audio)
: characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound
a strident voice
also : commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality
strident slogans
stridently adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for strident

loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound.

loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.

vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Examples of strident in a Sentence

The strident tone in his voice revealed his anger.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
For years, politicians have made increasingly strident promises to curb migration to the UK; for the most part, those promises have fallen short. Christian Edwards, CNN, 6 Aug. 2024 However, Harris' strident support for Volodymyr Zelensky and his country's battle against Vladimir's Putin's invasion won recognition from security experts. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Gaining momentum, their attacks grew more strident. Michael Bobelian, TIME, 7 Oct. 2024 The accusations of cultural appropriation directed her way are not truly strident, though. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for strident 

Word History

Etymology

Latin strident-, stridens, present participle of stridere, stridēre to make a harsh noise

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strident was circa 1656

Dictionary Entries Near strident

Cite this Entry

“Strident.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strident. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

strident

adjective
stri·​dent ˈstrīd-ᵊnt How to pronounce strident (audio)
: harsh sounding : grating, shrill
a strident voice
stridently adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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