SHRIEK Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

shriek 1 of 2

verb

ˈshrēk

Definition of shriek

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

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 Now, if there was just some way to go back and re-edit a supercut without Kate Capshaw's squealing and shrieking. — Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly, 13 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

Verb

Set the scene The Homestead screams quirky, artful, and vintage yet restored—capturing a whimsical, fairytale ambiance embellished with hints of Southern charm.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
In reviewing the body camera footage, police found that the child was standing on the stairwell at one point and was screaming while holding her left arm up in the air, according to the warrant affidavit.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of scream

Noun

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
The screech of guitar feedback echoed from a makeshift stage outside, where a punk-rock band had just launched into their set, a fitting accompaniment to the bar’s kaleidoscopic selection of beer.

— Taran Dugal, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of screech

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

Holmberg jumps in his vehicle and catches up to McConnell as Lafayette County deputy Kenneth Lewie holds McConnell at gunpoint and yells at him to get on the ground.

— Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 6 Oct. 2026
Someone reported that a man with blood on his pants was yelling for help, according to the 911 call sheet.

— Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 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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Style

“Shriek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shriek. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of shriek

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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