screeching

American  

[skree-ching] / ˈskri tʃɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing or uttering screeches.

   screeching bats.

2. characteristic of screeches; harshly shrill.

   a screeching tone.

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noun

1. the act or sound of a person or thing that screeches.

Other Word Forms

• screechingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of screeching

First recorded in 1610–20; screech + -ing ², -ing ¹

Example Sentences

But as most of the conference schools appeared close to approving the deal, pushback by the University of Michigan instead brought it to a screeching halt.

From The Wall Street Journal

The extraordinary scene with the medium in “Rashomon” stems directly from Noh, with the voice of the dead nobleman distorted into a screeching, growling outburst.

From The Wall Street Journal

The sounds of roaring engines, screeching tyres and cracking exhaust pipes are often heard tearing through streets surrounding the Croydon Road Tesco store, as car lovers meet there to show off their wheels.

From BBC

A draw at Falkirk saw fans once again screeching for his sacking, a pretty much constant and venomous refrain in recent times.

From BBC

The 65,000 fans in attendance undoubtedly showed up sobbing and screeching with unbridled elation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bitter
• bleak
• grim
• hard
• rigid
• severe
• sharp
• strident