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Shriek

/ʃɹiːk/

A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Shriek"

noun

1
A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.
2
An exclamation mark.

verb

1
To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish.
2
To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or shrieks.

🔄 Synonyms of "Shriek"

9 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
shrillnoun	High-pitched and piercing.
screamnoun	A loud, emphatic, exclamation of extreme emotion, especially horror, fear, excitement, or anger; it may comprise a word or a sustained, high-pitched vowel sound.
screechnoun	(countable) A high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface.
screechingnoun	The act of producing a screech.
pipenoun	Meanings relating to a wind instrument.
screamingnoun	A scream.
shrieking	(Of a sound, voice, etc.) sharp, loud, and shrill.
pipe upverb	(intransitive) To speak up, especially in a robust, assertive manner; to say something loudly and suddenly.
shreikingverb	—

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Shriek"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
screechnoun	(countable) A high-pitched strident or piercing sound, such as that between a moving object and any surface.
screechingnoun	The act of producing a screech.
screamingnoun	A scream.
shrillnoun	High-pitched and piercing.
screamnoun	A loud, emphatic, exclamation of extreme emotion, especially horror, fear, excitement, or anger; it may comprise a word or a sustained, high-pitched vowel sound.
pipe upverb	(intransitive) To speak up, especially in a robust, assertive manner; to say something loudly and suddenly.
pipenoun	Meanings relating to a wind instrument.
screakingnoun	A shriek or screech.
shrightnoun	(obsolete) A shriek or shrieking; sobbing.
shreeknoun	Obsolete form of shriek. [A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like.]
shrillingnoun	A sound that shrills.
screaknoun	shriek; screech
shriekerynoun	(rare) Shrieking.
squawknoun	A shrill noise, especially made by a voice or bird. If made by a bird, it typically signals discomfort or anger; a yell, scream, or call.
screenoun	(uncountable) Loose stony debris on a slope.
shrieklingnoun	(slang, derogatory) A noisy child.
skrikeverb	(British, regional) To cry, sob, cry out or yell; to scream.
shoutnoun	A loud burst of voice or voices; a violent and sudden outcry, especially that of a multitude expressing joy, triumph, exultation, anger, or great effort.
shriekfestnoun	(slang) An event filled with shrieking.
skirlingnoun	(Northern England and Scotland) A shrill cry or sound; a crying shrilly; a skirl.