as in to scream
to cry out loudly and emotionally
the children shrieked with excitement
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shriek
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
John McCoy, Outdoor Life, 12 Nov. 2025
Led by blaring ‘80s synthesizers and a pounding beat, the song features a distorted lead vocal from D’Angelo, who accompanies himself on multitracked backing vocals with the occasional soul shriek thrown in for good measure.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Verb
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
Noun
The growls and snarls of his hounds had turned to yelps and shrieks.
—John McCoy, Outdoor Life, 12 Nov. 2025
Led by blaring ‘80s synthesizers and a pounding beat, the song features a distorted lead vocal from D’Angelo, who accompanies himself on multitracked backing vocals with the occasional soul shriek thrown in for good measure.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shriek
Verb
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The work that doesn’t scream the loudest internally but decides who wins externally.—
Erik Huberman,
Rolling Stone,
11 Feb. 2026
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Vonn was heard screaming in pain while lying in the snow before she was airlifted off the course.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC news,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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This causes a blast of high-energy radiation called a gamma-ray burst (GRB), a final screech of gravitational waves, and sends out a spray of neutron-rich matter, which allows a process to occur that generates very heavy but unstable elements.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
4 Feb. 2026
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The only noise is the dip-dip of oars and the ethereal screech of horseshoe bats.—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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At bars across the United States, live watch parties were packed, squeals resounding.—
Faith Hill,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The book is closely argued but at times shrill and inconsistent.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
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The Ochi speak, not with words, but sounds—melodic shrills that reverberate in the air and can be interpreted on an emotional level.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Dash camera video from Newton’s police cruiser doesn’t capture the shooting, but Newton can be heard yelling commands for Sanders to stop and show his hands.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
13 Feb. 2026
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Here is Kyle yelling so hard at Dorit that her veins are straining against her Botox.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Carlile put her emphatic phrasing into the patriotic hymn, elongating notes and smiling at herself after a slight vocal squeak at the end.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Materials quality is quite good, and there’s nary a squeak or rattle to be heard while out and about, rolling over everyday roads and highways.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The yelps and chatter of a nursery school recess clattered down from a small hill overlooking the scene.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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They are pinched into a bright, almost surgical nasality or burst loose into grand, sideways arcs, flaring out in a feral yelp.—
Emma Madden,
Pitchfork,
21 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriek. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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