stridulous

9.9

Making a loud, harsh, grating sound like some insects make

adjective
/ˈstrɪdʒələs/

: estriduloso

The cricket's stridulous song filled the summer night with its sharp, repetitive notes.

Examples

The stridulous sound of the cicadas filled the summer air.
She made a stridulous cry that echoed through the forest.
Many insects are stridulous, using their wings or legs to produce distinctive sounds.
The stridulous noise from the grasshoppers was loud enough to be heard across the field.
The cricket's stridulous song filled the summer night with its sharp, repetitive notes.
Many insects are stridulous, using their wings or legs to produce distinctive sounds.
The stridulous noise from the grasshoppers was loud enough to be heard across the field.

Synonyms

squeaky

vsstridulous

67 1.3

Making a high, sharp sound like a mouse or hinge

is less about thin pitch and more about rough creaking or grating

raucous

vsstridulous

31 7.1

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

is more about sharp creaks and grating sounds than general loud harshness

jarring

vsstridulous

20 6.1

A loud, harsh sound that feels unpleasant and surprising

is steadier, referring to ongoing creaking or grating sounds rather than sudden shocks

scratchy

vsstridulous

14 3.7

Harsh, rough sound or voice that is unpleasant to hear

is more specific to creak and grating rather than simple scratchiness

creaky

vsstridulous

12 4.1

A harsh sound something makes when it moves, for example an old door or a tired voice

is similar but covers harsher, more grating or insect sounds

cacophonous

vsstridulous

2 8.4

Making a loud, harsh noise that is unpleasant to hear

is narrower, focusing on specific grating or creaking sounds rather than broad discord

screechy

vsstridulous

2 5.4

A high, harsh, unpleasant sound like a loud scream

is lower level harshness, often creaking or grinding rather than shrill screams

jangly

vsstridulous

1 8.1

A thin, harsh ringing sound like metal hitting together

emphasizes grinding or creaking qualities rather than metallic ringing

grating

vsstridulous

1 6.2

A harsh, unpleasant sound or voice that is hard to listen to

focuses more on creaking and specific creak-like noises rather than general harshness

squawky

vsstridulous

1 7.5

A loud harsh sound like a bird's cry that is unpleasant

is more mechanical or insect-like, focusing on creak and grating textures

shrieky

vsstridulous

1 7.2

Making a very high, loud, annoying sound that hurts your ears

is about gritty creaks and grating sounds rather than sharp shrieks

squealing

vsstridulous

1 4.1

A high, sharp sound made by a mouse or brakes

describes more continuous or textured creak and grating rather than brief squeals

screamy

vsstridulous

1 8.2

Very loud and high in sound like a scream

is focused on harsh, grating sounds rather than loud screams

raspatory

vsstridulous

9.9

Making a harsh, grating sound like metal scraping

is more about creaking or grating sounds often from movement

rasping

vsstridulous

6.9

Harsh and rough in a way that hurts the ears

leans more toward creak-like noises from joints or objects

screaky

vsstridulous

6.6

A high, thin sound a door or floor makes when moving

is broader, emphasizing harsh and creaking quality not only high pitch

harsh-voiced

vsstridulous

6.8

A voice or sound that is rough and unpleasant

is more about harsh noisy sources like insects or objects rather than voice only

jangling

vsstridulous

5.9

A harsh, annoying ringing sound like metal objects hitting together

is less metallic and more about grinding or creaking textures

shrilling

vsstridulous

7.4

A long, very high sound that hurts the ears

is steadier and more textured, referring to scraping or creaking sounds

Antonyms

soft

182 1.0

Gentle and not strong for light or sound

How Harsh

screeching

58 3.3

stridulous

9.9

harsh

47 3.9

hoarse

25 3.4

Surface Forms

stridulous positive

Morphology

stridulous = stridul + ous

The element 'stridul-' is a Latin-derived combining form not recognizable as a standalone English base, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from its parts.

Etymology

Stridulous comes from the Latin verb stridere, which means 'to creak' or 'make a harsh sound'. Think of the familiar word strident — both words are about loud, sharp noise, so stridulous describes sounds that are grating, creaking, or like an insect's sharp song.