shrill

1 of 3

verb

ˈshril How to pronounce shrill (audio)
especially Southern ˈsril
shrilled; shrilling; shrills
Synonyms of shrill

transitive verb

: scream

intransitive verb

: to utter or emit an acute piercing sound

shrill

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound : piercing
b
: accompanied by sharp high-pitched sounds or cries
shrill gaiety
2
: having a sharp or vivid effect on the senses
shrill light
3
: strident, intemperate
shrill anger
shrill criticism
shrill adverb
shrillness noun
shrilly
ˈshril-lē How to pronounce shrill (audio)
especially Southern ˈsril-
adverb

shrill

3 of 3

noun

: a shrill sound
the shrill of the ship's whistle

Synonyms of shrill

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Verb

Adjective

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Examples of shrill in a Sentence

Verb the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist Adjective the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle
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.
Verb
The shrieks and shrills filled the room. — Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025 Earth smells and the pungency of privet and balsam were still acute at this hour, unmingled; the shadows were as bold as in a child’s picture book; swifts and house martins tracked across the pale sky overhead, shrilling in thrilled anticipation. — Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2019
Adjective
Joe’s voice rose to a shrill cry. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026 Some cymbal hits came across as slightly shrill thanks to the high-mid emphasis. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 23 Mar. 2026
Noun
The cheering was so loud that even ear plugs wouldn’t have masked the shrill. — Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 11 Aug. 2023 The shrill, yet welcome, sound of children’s laughter fills the air. — Essence, 23 Nov. 2022 See All Example Sentences for shrill

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English; probably akin to Old English scrallettan to resound loudly — more at skirl

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1589, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shrill was in the 13th century

Rhymes for shrill

See All Rhymes for shrill

Browse Nearby Words

shrike tit
shrill
shrillness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shrill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrill. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

shrill

1 of 3 verb
ˈshril How to pronounce shrill (audio)
: to make a high sharp piercing sound : scream

shrill

2 of 3 adjective
: having a sharp high sound
a shrill whistle
shrill adverb
shrillness noun
shrilly
ˈshril-lē How to pronounce shrill (audio)
adverb

shrill

3 of 3 noun
: a shrill sound

More from Merriam-Webster on shrill

Nglish: Translation of shrill for Spanish Speakers

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