Shrill — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun /ˈshril/

Meaning & Definition of Shrill

Shrill (verb)

  1. scream
  2. to utter or emit an acute piercing sound

Shrill (adjective)

  1. having or emitting a sharp high-pitched tone or sound, piercing
  2. accompanied by sharp high-pitched sounds or cries
  3. having a sharp or vivid effect on the senses

Shrill (noun)

  1. a shrill sound

Shrill (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cry out loudly and emotionally

    "the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist"

    similar: howl, scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeal, yell, yelp
    related: bay, caterwaul, keen, squawk, wail, yawp, yowl, bawl, call, cry, holler, shout, thunder, vociferate
    near: murmur, mutter, whisper

Shrill (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having a high musical pitch or range

    "the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle"

    similar: high-pitched, piping, screeching, shrieking, squeaking, squeaky, treble, whistling
    related: peeping, thin, tinny, earsplitting, nasal, penetrating, piercing, sharp, strident, squealing, whining, whiny, yapping, yelping
    opposite: bass, deep, grave, low, throaty
    near: gruff, hoarse, husky, rough, smoky

Shrill (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in scream, shriek

    similar: scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeak, squeal, yelp, ejaculation, interjection, bawl, bellow, clamor, outcry, roar, cry, holler, hoot, howl, shout, whoop, yell, yowl, caterwaul, plaint, wail
    opposite: mumble, murmur, mutter, gasp, whimper, whisper

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shrill

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shrill:

howl, scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeal, yell, yelp, high-pitched, piping, screeching, shrieking, squeaking, squeaky, treble, whistling, squeak, ejaculation, interjection, bawl, bellow, clamor, outcry, roar, cry, holler, hoot, shout, whoop, yowl, caterwaul, plaint, wail

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Shrill

Words with the opposite meaning of Shrill:

bass, deep, grave, low, throaty, mumble, murmur, mutter, gasp, whimper, whisper

Related Words for Shrill

bay, keen, squawk, yawp, call, thunder, vociferate, peeping, thin, tinny, earsplitting, nasal, penetrating, piercing, sharp, strident, squealing, whining, whiny, yapping, yelping

Near Antonyms of Shrill

gruff, hoarse, husky, rough, smoky

Word Forms of Shrill

Inflections: shrilled, shrilling, shrills

Derived words: shrill (adverb), shrillness (noun), shrilly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Shrill

Middle English; probably akin to Old English scrallettan to resound loudly skirl

First known use: 13th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Shrill

What does "Shrill" mean?

"Shrill" means scream. As an a verb, an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: scream. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shrill"?

Other words for "Shrill" include howl, scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeal, yell and yelp. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shrill" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shrill"?

There are 54 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shrill". Common alternatives include howl, scream, screech, shriek, squall, squeal, yell, yelp, high-pitched and piping.

What is the opposite of "Shrill"?

Antonyms of "Shrill" include bass, deep, grave, low, throaty, mumble, murmur and mutter. Near antonyms include gruff, hoarse, husky and rough.

How do you use "Shrill" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shrill" in a sentence: "the mud-splattered bystanders were shrilling with outrage at the inconsiderate motorist"; "the shrill sound of a policeman's whistle".

Is "Shrill" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shrill" can be used as a verb, an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Shrill"?

"Shrill" is pronounced /ˈshril/.

What is the origin of the word "Shrill"?

"Shrill" comes from Middle English; probably akin to Old English scrallettan to resound loudly skirl. First known use: 13th centuryt.