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

As China hit back with tariffs of its own, the tit-for-tat exchange sent tariff rates spiralling into the triple digits and for a few weeks brought trade between the two giants to a screeching halt.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

The idea to launch a podcast began during the pandemic, when touring — and the world — came to a screeching halt.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

As we talk, on occasion the screeching call of a toucan pierces the quiet, and miles above, the same giant black birds hover menacingly in groups, surveying everything below.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

Outside of major cities, rural communities still light sparklers and screeching "missile" fireworks to celebrate the Lunar New Year, which falls next week.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Sure enough, a dust cloud swept toward Nyame’s palace, and the faint sounds of screeching and rattling carried over the roar of the chaos in the bay.

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

Related Words

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