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Glite Dictionary
screeching

screeching

58 3.3
A very loud high sound that hurts your ears
  • noun
  • /ˈskriːtʃɪŋ/
translation icon : chillido
  • The screeching of the brakes caught everyone by surprise.
  • screeching sound
  • screeching noise
  • screeching tires

Examples

  • Words you couldn't actually hear clearly; the amplified guitars, drums, and general screeching were so loud.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • "I want to see!" Her screeching whine set Peter's teeth on edge.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • For heaven's sake, stop that screeching.

    Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)

  • We heard the screeching of hundreds of birds caught in the crude trap.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • I have no idea why they're playing that screeching sound.

  • With both arms over her head, she shielded herself, terrified of the screeching and the golden eyes.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • From all sides comes the constant screeching and, from farther away, the buzz of power saws.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • Dex could hear the wind now, a thin screeching sound like the wail of a distant banshee.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • The million-decibel pounding of sledgehammers and the screeching of construction cranes are like Swan Lake to me.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • A gigantic screeching noise, and Chanda guessed that previously unseen pod bay doors were opening.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

scream
vsscreeching
596 1.0

A loud high cry made when someone is afraid or hurt

is the same piercing noise but not limited to people
cry
vsscreeching
142 1.0

A loud call that an animal or person makes

is a narrower high-pitched piercing noise rather than any loud shout
screaming
vsscreeching
92 1.9

A very loud high, piercing noise that hurts the ears

is the general name for any loud high-pitched piercing sound
shriek
vsscreeching
43 2.7

A loud high sound showing fear, pain or excitement

is the same sound without necessary emotional emphasis
screech
vsscreeching
39 2.9

A loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is similar but may be less harsh in tone
squeal
vsscreeching
34 2.9

A long, high sound showing pain, fear, or strong excitement

is the same piercing noise but usually not long or emotional
shrieking
vsscreeching
15 3.0

A loud, very high sound like a scream made by a person or animal

is the broad label for any loud high-pitched piercing noise
yelping
vsscreeching
5 2.6

A short high sound a dog makes when it is hurt or afraid

is the same piercing noise but used for any source not only animals
scray
vsscreeching
  • UK
1 9.9

A sudden loud, high sound like a bird's cry

is the same piercing noise but not always sudden
shrilling
vsscreeching
7.4

A long, very high sound that hurts the ears

is the same noise but usually shorter and not continuous

Antonyms

silence
660 2.0

A period with no sound or speech

How High-Pitched

screeching
58 3.3
squeal
34 2.9
squeak
22 1.9
chirp
18 1.6

Surface Forms

screeching singular
screechings plural

Morphology

screeching = screech (transparent) = screech + ing

A straightforward gerund/nominalization of the verb 'screech' using the productive suffix '-ing', so the meaning 'a loud, high-pitched noise' is directly derived.

Etymology

The word screeching comes from a simple idea: people made the word to copy the sound itself, a 'harsh, high' cry like the words scream or shriek. So screeching means a loud, high-pitched noise, such as car brakes or a bird call.