shrill

[ʃrɪl]

shrill Definition

• 1. a high-pitched and piercing sound or voice
• 2. having or emitting a sharp, high-pitched tone or sound

Using shrill: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shrill" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The shrill of the alarm woke me up.

• Example

  She spoke in a shrill voice that grated on my nerves.

• Example

  The shrill whistle of the tea kettle signaled that the water was boiling.

• Example

  The shrill cry of the seagulls echoed across the harbor.

shrill Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for shrill

• piercing
• squeaky
• screeching
• high-pitched
• ear-piercing

Antonyms for shrill

• deep
• mellow
• low-pitched

Idioms Using shrill

• shrill as a banshee

  very loud and high-pitched, typically used to describe a person's voice

  Example

  She screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice as shrill as a banshee.

• shrill and clear

  loud and distinct, typically used to describe a sound or voice

  Example

  The singer's voice was shrill and clear, filling the auditorium with her powerful vocals.

• shrill call

  a loud, high-pitched sound made by a bird or animal, typically used to communicate with others of its kind

  Example

  The shrill call of the peacock could be heard throughout the forest.

Phrases with shrill

• shrill tone

  a tone of voice that is high-pitched and unpleasant to listen to

  Example

  Her shrill tone made it hard for me to concentrate on what she was saying.

• shrill whistle

  a loud, high-pitched sound made by blowing air through a whistle

  Example

  The referee blew his shrill whistle to signal the end of the game.

• shrill cry

  a loud, high-pitched sound made by an animal or bird

  Example

  The shrill cry of the eagle could be heard from miles away.

Origins of shrill

from Old English 'scralletan', meaning 'to sound loudly'

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Summary: shrill in Brief

'Shrill' [ʃrɪl] describes a high-pitched and piercing sound or voice. It can be used to describe a variety of sounds, from alarms to animal cries, and is often associated with unpleasantness or irritation. Examples include 'The shrill of the alarm woke me up.' and 'She spoke in a shrill voice that grated on my nerves.' Idioms like 'shrill as a banshee' and 'shrill call' extend the term's usage.