shrike
1 synonym for shrike, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A songbird of the family Laniidae that hunts small animals and hangs its leftovers on thorns.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
butcherbird
How to use shrike
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
red-backed shrike
great grey shrike
It is a neutral word, used in birdwatching and natural history.
Etymology
Shrike comes from a Middle English form that descends from Old English sċrīc, a word for the shrike or a thrush. It shares a root with shriek and screech and was named after the bird's cry.
Full origin of shrike →Frequently asked questions
What is a shrike?
A shrike is a passerine bird of the family Laniidae. It is known for impaling the uneaten parts of its prey on thorns.
Why is a shrike called a butcherbird?
Butcherbird is another name for the shrike, and it refers to the bird's habit of impaling its prey on thorns.
Where does the word shrike come from?
It comes from Old English sċrīc and shares a root with shriek and screech, so it is named after the bird's cry.
