shriek 1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk How to pronounce shriek (audio)
Definition of shrieknext
as in to scream
to cry out loudly and emotionally the children shrieked with excitement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

shriek

2 of 2

noun

as in scream

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of shriek
Verb
Say something loudly and calmly — don’t shriek! — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026 Fans shrieked and hollered as every player in the realmwide war — Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), the Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint) and his nemesis Lohar (Abigail Thorn) — popped up. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 June 2026
Noun
Euphoric shrieks filled the Harbor of the East River as soon as the Knicks clinched. — Sportico Staff, Sportico.com, 14 June 2026 Harris spares audiences the bloody image, but the sound of the boy’s imploring shrieks is nevertheless haunting. — Lovia Gyarkye, IndieWire, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for shriek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shriek
  1. scream
  2. screech
  3. squeal
  4. shrill
  5. yell
  6. squeak
  7. yelp
Verb
  • Bizarrely, Jones wasn't happy about it, immediately shoving Cullen's hand off him and starting a screaming match.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • In Whalefall, Abrams screams and thrashes with the same vulnerability, and a few more inner demons.
    — Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of scream
Noun
  • Farnsworth said the screech is typical of barn owls, who use it to communicate with one another.
    — Joseph B. Frederick, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Rihanna’s here, maniacal crowds are lining up outside shows to screech and wave at their favorite stars and days of runway events big and small lie ahead.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of screech
Verb
  • Her patient, Maya, who is afraid of doctors and hospitals, squealed with excitement.
    — Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
  • As soon as Sheeran took the stage, fans inside the stadium squealed and shouted with excitement.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of squeal
Noun
  • No stomping rhythms here, no shrill blasts in unison, no sweaty masculinity souring the air, no red faces.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Conversely, the drum tones fluctuate between sloshy and shrill, either contributing to the chaos or cutting through like a fire alarm.
    — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026
Definition of shrill
Verb
  • During one middle school mariachi practice, an instructor encourages a girl to come out of her shell and yell excitedly.
    — Jessica Hill, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The HomeView can also share intercom-style broadcasts to any other room equipped with smart speakers, sparing you the need to yell up the stairs when dinner is ready.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of yell
Noun
  • Nestled deep among the wads of shredded paper and other bric-a-brac, the occupants made not a squeak, concealed to anyone who looked through the carrier’s door.
    — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The mice used some of the squeaks within their nests and others on the fringes of their territory.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 3 June 2026
Definition of squeak
Noun
  • Then the day came, two weeks before a drop-dead deadline on a final draft of a novel, when the pain was yelp-out-loud excruciating in any position other than lying flat on the floor, or standing.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The second slide was a video (without sound) of the couple’s first kiss, which King prefaced with what looked like a howl of joy, followed by a series of passionate kisses and an arms-in-the-air yelp from the groom.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of yelp

Browse Nearby Words

shrews
shriek
shrieked
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Cite this Entry

“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriek. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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