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
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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shriek. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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
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