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
Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
Regardless, prominent Democrats scoffed at the review, shrieked with outrage, and dubiously claimed that taxpayers’ personal information could be compromised in the process.
—James Carter, National Review, 28 Feb. 2025
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
Upon opening the haircare tools — which retail at about $600 — the room filled with shrieks of happiness.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shriek
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Verb
Of course, the idea of hauling your stroller into a cramped cafe or dealing with a shrieking baby at a girls’ lunch can be daunting for new parents.
—Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025
Regardless, prominent Democrats scoffed at the review, shrieked with outrage, and dubiously claimed that taxpayers’ personal information could be compromised in the process.
—James Carter, National Review, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
Suddenly, a woman is yanked through a mirror — a moment punctuated by the funniest shriek this side of the Wilhem scream — and the plot is pulled into the ’80s: a critical framing shift that’s never once made explicit.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
Upon opening the haircare tools — which retail at about $600 — the room filled with shrieks of happiness.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for shriek
Cite this Entry
“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shriek. Accessed 15 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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