screeching

[skree-ching]

adjective

1. causing or uttering screeches.

   screeching bats.

2. characteristic of screeches; harshly shrill.

   a screeching tone.

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• screechingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of screeching¹

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

Example Sentences

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

Meanwhile, new hiring has ground to a screeching halt, according to the latest government statistics.

From Los Angeles Times

His screeching bigotry would feel out of place in her pastel-colored dreamland, where nothing interesting ever happens.

From Salon

Related Words

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