screech
12 synonyms for screech, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.
“The brakes let out a screech as the car stopped short.”
How to use screech
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
screech to a halt
screech in pain
a piercing screech
Etymology
An altered form of an earlier word, scritch, ultimately from Old English and Old Norse verbs meaning to shriek, likely imitative of the sound itself.
Full origin of screech →Frequently asked questions
What does “screech” mean?
The word “screech” means a harsh, high-pitched cry or sound. In plain terms, a harsh, high-pitched sound, or to make one.
How do you pronounce “screech”?
“Screech” is pronounced skreech ([skɹit͡ʃ] in IPA).
How do you use “screech” in a sentence?
Here is “screech” used in a sentence: “The brakes let out a screech as the car stopped short.”
What is another word for “screech”?
Words with a similar meaning to “screech” include screak.
What part of speech is “screech”?
Depending on how it is used, “screech” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “screech” come from?
The word “screech” comes from Old English. An altered form of an earlier word, scritch, ultimately from Old English and Old Norse verbs meaning to shriek, likely imitative of the sound itself.
How many meanings does “screech” have?
“Screech” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a harsh, high-pitched cry or sound.
