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

It feels like there’s a skyscraper pushing into my chest and my heart is going to burst out of me and seven death metal bands are screeching at the same time inside my head.

From Literature

Her tenure at the outlet came to a screeching halt after reports of her alleged romance with Kennedy, 71, surfaced last year.

From Los Angeles Times

The teams returned all at once, noisy and punctual as the trains of the London and North West Railway screeching into Euston Station during the morning rush hour.

From Literature

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

Roz and Brightbill and Glimmer were still in the hallway when they heard screeching and stomping, and then the seabirds came flapping around the corner.

From Literature

Related Words

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