shriek

1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk How to pronounce shriek (audio)
 especially Southern  ˈsrēk
shrieked; shrieking; shrieks

intransitive verb

1
: to utter a sharp shrill sound
2
a
: to cry out in a high-pitched voice : screech
b
: to suggest such a cry (as by vividness of expression)
neon colors shrieked for attentionCalvin Tomkins

transitive verb

1
: to utter with a shriek
shriek an alarm
2
: to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek

shriek

2 of 2

noun

1
: a shrill usually wild or involuntary cry
2
: a sound resembling a shriek
the shriek of chalk on the blackboard

Examples of shriek in a Sentence

Verb The birds were shrieking in the trees. She shrieked when she saw a mouse. Noun the shriek of the train's brakes
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
Other passengers could be heard laughing and shrieking, rightfully so. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 24 Oct. 2024 Baby Freddy rips his way out, shrieking so loud the windows shatter. Michael Lee Simpson, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
But the most offensive performance of the film belongs to Amy Adams, who shrieks, squeals, and flails through scene after dreadful scene. Sarah Jones, Vulture, 15 July 2024 Olivia recorded the sounds of panicked journalists and attendees alike huddled along the press riser and bicycle racks separating us, the shrieks of scared children, and, realized only upon listening many times since, the sound of those around Corey Comperatore yelling for assistance. Olivia Rinaldi, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for shriek 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shreken, probably irregular from shriken to shriek; akin to Old Norse skrækja to shriek

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shriek was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near shriek

Cite this Entry

“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shriek. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

shriek

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a sharp shrill cry
2
: to cry out in a high-pitched voice

shriek

2 of 2 noun
: a sharp shrill cry

More from Merriam-Webster on shriek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!