shrill 1 of 3

verb

ˈshril How to pronounce shrill (audio)
Definition of shrillnext
as in to shriek
to cry out loudly and emotionally the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shrill

2 of 3

adjective

as in shrieking
having a high musical pitch or range the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shrill

3 of 3

noun

as in shriek

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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 shrill
Verb
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 Each of the four movements Thursday traced a giant decrescendo, coming on strong with cacophonous, often shrill music and slowly ebbing away in a dazzling variety of textures and colors, all of them sparse and serene. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 7 Jan. 2022
Adjective
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 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, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
What's more, this door alarm features three sensitivity levels and emits a loud shrill that will instantly scare an intruder away. — Stephanie Gray, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for shrill
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrill
  1. shriek
  2. screeching
  3. scream
  4. squeal
  5. high-pitched
  6. screech
  7. squeak
  8. yelp
Verb
  • Kids are shrieking through their favorite splash pads, faces sticky with Bomb Pop juice and joy.
    — Mark Glende, Twin Cities, 2 July 2026
  • Say something loudly and calmly — don’t shriek!
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of shriek
Adjective
  • Clive Rose / Getty Images SPIELBERG, Austria — The hopes around Ferrari came to a screeching halt in the Styrian mountains.
    — Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • That rushing attack was ground to a screeching halt, though, as Pitt came into Morgantown and upset the Mountaineers by the now infamous 13-9 scoreline.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Definition of screeching
Noun
  • The delighted screams were coming from a man wearing a Mexico soccer jersey in the first row.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Alicent fights back and is ultimately rescued by Grand Maester Orwyle, who hears her screams.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of scream
Verb
  • Toddlers squealed and played, and an older woman cried softly.
    — Will Freeman, New Yorker, 30 June 2026
  • 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
Definition of squeal
Adjective
  • Female eagles often repeat a solitary soft but high-pitched note.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Noise colors can be high-pitched (rapidly vibrating) sounds, low-pitched (slowly vibrating) sounds, or a combination.
    — Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of high-pitched
Noun
  • Equally notable throughout the game was the angry screech, reserved for whenever the Czech Republic players had the ball — or worse — were given a free kick.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 26 June 2026
  • Guests range from ordinary commuters to figures like Cate Blanchett and Julian Casablancas, all subject to the same fluorescent lighting and ambient subway screech.
    — Arushi Jacob, Variety, 19 June 2026
Definition of screech
Noun
  • The vocal repertoire consisted of at least seven different squeak types.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
  • Others reported a persistent squeak.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
Definition of squeak
Noun
  • Some yelp in pain after stepping barefoot on a peanut or toy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • Lee's voice has always been Sui generis, a distinctive instrument caught between a whine and a yelp yet immediately recognizable.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 8 June 2026
Definition of yelp

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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of shrill for Spanish Speakers

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