screeching 1 of 2

adjective

ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
Definition of screechingnext
as in shrill
having a high musical pitch or range the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

screeching

2 of 2

verb

present participle of screech
as in shrieking
to cry out loudly and emotionally the toddler screeched in anger when her stuffed rabbit was taken away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of screeching
Adjective
Duran’s second walk in as many innings loaded the bases, but a pair of non-competitive at-bats by Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu brought the lineup’s momentum to a screeching half. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026 All that progress now comes to a screeching halt while Blue Origin investigates the cause of New Glenn's explosion and faces the task of rebuilding LC-36. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
While walking back to his patrol vehicle, the officer heard tires screeching and a loud bang, according to the affidavit. — Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 8 June 2026 Its appearance may belie the truth, but this is not the demonic, screeching spider chasing people down that freaked you out in the movie Arachnophobia. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for screeching
Recent Examples of Synonyms for screeching
  1. shrill
  2. shrieking
  3. screaming
  4. squealing
  5. yelling
Adjective
  • On shrill winter nights, Moscow’s power is conspicuous, its Orthodox cathedrals and Stalinist high-rises illuminated, though the view falls dim in the autumn and spring, shrouded in sheets of greige.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The chaos is still an acceptable price to pay for Birney’s expertly offputting performance, a shrill mania that gets increasingly comic over time.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of shrill
Verb
  • Kids are shrieking through their favorite splash pads, faces sticky with Bomb Pop juice and joy.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • Raph and Grant keep tasting wasabi Oreos, with Raph shrieking and Grant grimacing.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
Definition of shrieking
Verb
  • The couple’s relationship began with a friendship bracelet and a podcast shout-out in July 2023, and by September Swift was screaming profanities in support of her new favorite football player.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 30 June 2026
  • As Rayan began screaming, al-Ajeen, whose family has long farmed in the area, picked up his son and began walking again.
    — Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 30 June 2026
Definition of screaming
Verb
  • In the clip, Niney is pictured talking calmly on his cell phone as Gasly races around him in the Alpine car, squealing the tires.
    — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 29 June 2026
  • Pigs that were being hauled by the semi could be heard squealing at the scene.
    — Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 23 June 2026
Definition of squealing
Verb
  • Nearby campers heard Christopher Malone, 42, and his son yelling for help, according to NBC affiliate WILX 10.
    — Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 July 2026
  • Other people at the scene can be heard yelling that the cash was not evidence and did not belong to the officer.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
Definition of yelling

Browse Nearby Words

screeches
screeching
screen
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Cite this Entry

“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/screeching. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on screeching

Nglish: Translation of screeching for Spanish Speakers

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