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strident

strident

22 7.2
Very loud and harsh in a way that feels unpleasant
  • adjective
  • /ˈstraɪdənt/
: estridente
  • Rising above the purr and roar of traffic was the strident whine of the butcher's electric saw.
  • strident opposition
  • strident voice
  • strident nationalism

But right now people are so strident that they're not listening.

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Examples

  • Even within ZANU-PF, there were strident calls immediately after the election for Mugabe's resignation.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In all other matters, he sustained a strident, almost visceral disapproval of the Church.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • What's the matter?" Her voice was strident in the silence of the room.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The security could be much more strident without being heavy-handed.

  • But right now people are so strident that they're not listening.

  • Convinced she was speaking to one of my fellow students, I ignored her increasingly strident commands.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Other creationist writers have been more strident in their attacks on humanism.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The Israelis and the Syrians were particularly strident, while the Lebanese and the Jordanians were more conciliatory.

    Academic text (1994)
  • There's something strident in Durrance's voice, a brittleness that hides the insecurity inside.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The strident sirens of emergency vehicles could be heard throughout the city.

Synonyms

aggressive
vsstrident
329 3.7

Behaving in a hostile way and ready to attack or argue

overlaps in aggression but also focuses on loud harsh manner and sound
fierce
vsstrident
260 3.0

Showing great power, anger or passion

is comparable but centers on unpleasant harsh sound and forceful manner
vocal
vsstrident
81 4.9

Saying opinions clearly and strongly in public

is louder and more unpleasantly harsh in sound or manner than mere outspokenness
forceful
vsstrident
58 4.3

Showing strong power and clear confidence in speech or actions

is stronger in unpleasant harshness and aggressive tone rather than neutral force
shrill
vsstrident
33 4.8

A very high, sharp sound that is unpleasant and loud

is similar but adds forceful and aggressive manner, not only pitch
brash
vsstrident
31 6.6

Very confident in a rude, loud way that annoys other people

is more about harsh sound and forceful manner than mere rudeness
raucous
vsstrident
28 7.1

Making a loud, rough, and unpleasant sound that hurts your ears

focuses on both sound harshness and aggressive manner rather than sound only
abrasive
vsstrident
20 6.5

Showing little concern for other people's feelings

adds loudness and unpleasant force to that harsh interpersonal style
in-your-face
vsstrident
  • Informal
15 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

shares confrontational force but also includes loud, harsh sound quality
vehement
vsstrident
  • Formal
11 7.7

Showing very strong feeling that is hard to ignore

is more unpleasant and harsh in sound or manner than simple intensity
vitriolic
vsstrident
  • Offensive
10 9.3

Harsh, angry words that strongly hurt someone

is alike in harshness but is more about loud, forceful delivery not just malice
loud-mouthed
vsstrident
  • Offensive
10 6.7

A person who speaks loudly and says rude things

is like that but with a harsher, more forceful unpleasant sound
acrimonious
vsstrident
9 8.4

Full of angry, bitter words in a speech or argument

is similar in harsh tone but more focused on loud forceful manner
vociferous
vsstrident
  • Formal
7 7.8

To speak loudly and strongly to show disagreement

is harsher in tone and often more unpleasant or aggressive in manner
trenchant
vsstrident
  • Formal
4 8.2

Language that uses clear, strong words to criticize ideas

is comparably sharp but adds an unpleasant loud and aggressive quality
pungent
vsstrident
3 6.5

Sharp, biting words that can hurt or shock people

overlaps in harshness but is less about loudness and more about emotional bite
truculent
vsstrident
  • Formal
2 9.8

Quick to argue or fight and often angry

is similar but emphasizes loud, harsh delivery as well as hostility
vituperative
vsstrident
  • Offensive
2 9.9

Using very angry and insulting words to attack someone

shares harsh criticism but lacks the clear emphasis on loud unpleasant sound
clamorous
vsstrident
2 7.7

Being very loud and full of shouting, like a crowd

includes that noise but also stresses harshness and aggressive intent
ranty
vsstrident
  • Informal
1 9.3

To speak or write loudly in an angry, complaining way

is similar but emphasizes harshness and aggressive force rather than whining
venomous-tongued
vsstrident
  • Literature
1 9.4

Saying harsh, mean things that hurt people

is similar in meanness but emphasizes loud, forceful delivery as well
clamant
vsstrident
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Being loud and urgent and demanding immediate action

is more broadly harsh and forceful in both sound and behavior

Antonyms

680 1.0

Not showing strong feelings and being very still

254 1.0

Gentle and not strong for light or sound

How Forceful

aggressive
329 3.7
strident
22 7.2
assertive
41 4.2
firm
209 2.7
mild
206 1.0

Surface Forms

strident positive

Morphology

strident = strid + ent

Formed from the non-productive combining form 'strid-' plus the Latinate adjectival suffix '-ent'; the root is not a standalone modern English word, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from the parts.

Etymology

Strident comes from the Latin stridere, which means 'to make a harsh noise'. Think of a voice or sound that cuts through everything and feels unpleasant; that's why strident means loud, harsh, and forceful.