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
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
Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
There are many reasons to visit New Orleans, from po' boys filled with heaps of fried shrimp spilling out of pillowy soft French bread, the shrill trills of brass trumpets, and the constant bustle of revelers across the city.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Vulture, 3 Apr. 2022
The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air.
—Essence, 23 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Verb
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
Adjective
As the evening presses forward, a shrill scream goes thundering across the third floor, and the camera pans to showcase A.B. lying dead in the game room.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025
There are many reasons to visit New Orleans, from po' boys filled with heaps of fried shrimp spilling out of pillowy soft French bread, the shrill trills of brass trumpets, and the constant bustle of revelers across the city.
—Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Noun
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
See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
Verb
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Berger’s tiny stage bulges like a clown car, stuffed with superb comedians such as Russell Daniels, playing a prospective son-in-law (and Grade A idiot) who shrieks around sick people, and Sarah Stiles, as a pert soubrette.—
Michael Schulman,
New Yorker,
6 June 2025
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The nationwide campaign against DEI, inspired in large by Trump himself, is a shrieking dog whistle to a MAGA subset that wants only a white man’s world.—
Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards,
Orlando Sentinel,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Like Michael Jackson trading fancy footwork (to rabid audience screams) with his idol James Brown before presenting the Godfather of Soul with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.—
Gail Mitchell,
Billboard,
9 June 2025
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As the state on Thursday summed up the brutal details that made up the prosecution’s case, a relative walked out of the courtroom with a loud scream, causing Petrone to tell the jury to ignore the outburst.—
Madeline Buckley,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Chelsea squeals as Aubree takes in her birthday gift.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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When Ronaldo Jr went to warm up with his fellow subs behind the goal, the local kids all sprinted off in that direction and yelled and squealed ‘Cristiano’ or ‘Junior’ in the lad’s direction.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Lately, there has been one with a hoarse screech calling me.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
27 May 2025
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But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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One of dancehall’s biggest stars who had collaborated with artists such as Busta Rhymes and Fat Joe, Buju Banton’s career came to a screeching halt in 2009 when he was arrested in Sarasota and convicted in 2011.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
22 May 2025
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Events like fires, floods, snowstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes can bring companies to a screeching halt by damaging facilities and even jeopardizing employees' lives.—
Niki Jorgensen,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
Noun
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Her squeaks and sighs are my favorite noises on earth.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
12 May 2025
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So the first 100 days were dominated by the satisfying squeak of Sharpie on paper as Trump fired off executive action after executive action.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
2 May 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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Throughout the flight, excited reactions and yelps could be heard from the crew over the live stream's audio feed.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
14 Apr. 2025
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But their magnum opus was 1978’s Dub Housing, where Thomas shows off his collection of animal noises, grunts, yelps, and screeches, up to his neck in industrial synth-and-guitar factory noise.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrill. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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