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shrill

[ʃrɪl]

shrill Definition

  • 1a high-pitched and piercing sound or voice
  • 2having 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

Antonyms for shrill

Idioms Using shrill

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

How do native speakers use this expression?