strident
Americanadjective
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making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking.
strident insects; strident hinges.
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having a shrill, irritating quality or character.
a strident tone in his writings.
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Linguistics. (in distinctive feature analysis) characterized acoustically by noise of relatively high intensity, as sibilants, labiodental and uvular fricatives, and most affricates.
adjective
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(of a shout, voice, etc) having or making a loud or harsh sound
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urgent, clamorous, or vociferous
strident demands
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of strident
1650–60; < Latin strīdent- (stem of strīdēns ), present participle of strīdēre to make a harsh noise; see -ent
Explanation
Something that's strident is loud, grating, and obnoxious. Your roommate's strident laughter as he watches cartoons late into the night might inspire you to buy a pair of ear plugs. Strident is related to the Latin word strix, meaning "screech owl." This is a kind of owl that doesn't hoot. It screeches in a strident way. Strident can also describe the forceful expression of an unpopular opinion. Don't confuse strident with striding, which means walking quickly with a wide step. If you're angry at your brother, you might come striding into his room and begin making a strident case for why he has done you wrong.
Vocabulary lists containing strident
Lord of the Flies
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A Raisin in the Sun
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Grade 12, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was hard to see what some of Pratt’s loudest and most strident supporters actually thought was worth preserving in the city — but not why they felt he was their man.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
This wasn’t some strident position—“I may wear a different hat some day,” Madalon said—but the approach has been helpful in recruiting, the coach said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
Even the most strident voices that had been calling for interest-rate cuts now say a wait-and-see stance is preferable, given the ever-changing prospects for ending the conflict with Iran.
From Barron's ● Apr. 17, 2026
Prior to joining the Trump administration, she was known for her strident and uncompromising anti-war philosophy.
From Salon ● Mar. 22, 2026
“Where is my tea?” came a shout from the top of the stairs, the strident voice silencing the singing and ending Ophie’s happy reverie.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
