shrieked; shrieking; shrieks
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 attention—
Calvin Tomkins
Calvin Tomkins1
: to utter with a shriek
shriek an alarm
2
: to express in a manner suggestive of a shriek
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
David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
As Vance’s troubled mother, Adams shrieks a lot, which is not her specialty.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
As Hollis releases her son’s hand and backs into the kitchen, Richard shrieks at Pino.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
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Verb
The number of shrieking arguments in The Light is high even by the standards of the most extreme German angst.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2025
As Vance’s troubled mother, Adams shrieks a lot, which is not her specialty.
—Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
Upon opening the haircare tools — which retail at about $600 — the room filled with shrieks of happiness.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
As Hollis releases her son’s hand and backs into the kitchen, Richard shrieks at Pino.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Cite this Entry
“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shriek. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shriek
1 of 2 verb1
: to utter a sharp shrill cry
2
: to cry out in a high-pitched voice
shriek
2 of 2 noun
: a sharp shrill cry
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