shrillshrill1 /ʃrɪl/ adjective 
‘That’s not true,’ she protested in a shrill voice. a shrill whistle Fran uttered a shrill scream.► see thesaurus at high2shrill complaints, criticism, demands etc are too loud or strong and seem unreasonable: He hated the shrill demands of the children.—shrillness noun [uncountable]—shrilly /ˈʃrɪl-li, ˈʃrɪli/ adverb
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- As Sophie became angry her voice got shriller.
- I was suddenly woken up by the shrill ringing of the telephone.
- Mike could hear his aunt's shrill voice downstairs.
- She gave a brief, shrill laugh.
- Sylvie burst out in a shrill laugh before leaving the room.
- The media's shrill criticism of Newton has reached a new level.
- A shrill whistle is blown angrily by a shivering soldier, a sentry at the tomb.
- Bates plays Kushnick with shrill, profane gusto, literally scorching the earth with her incendiary lungs.
- Does this shrill din really emanate from the top Praga Khan and Jade 4U?
- He heard what sounded like a stifled cry of pain from a shriller voice; then the commotion beside him resumed once more.
- His supporters are no less shrill.
- History will likely dismiss the shrill cries of the last few weeks and remember Dole as a steady voice of moderation.
- Pushell's voice was shrill with frustration as Blanche led him out.
- The unexpected shrill blast of sound had sent a jolt of adrenaline through me and my heart was pounding.
THESAURUSsounds
higher than most sounds or voices: · He has a rather high-pitched voice.· Bats make high-pitched squeaks.· the high-pitched whine of a dentist's drill
high and unpleasant: · Her voice became more shrill.· The bird has rather a shrill cry.
extremely high and loud, in a way that is unpleasant: · a piercing scream· Suddenly I heard a piercing whistle.
making very high noises that are not loud: · a squeaky gate· squeaky floorboards· a squeaky little voice
Longman Language Activatora high sound or voice near the top range of sounds that humans can hear - use this about sounds, voices, or musical notes: · Dogs respond to sounds that are too high for humans to hear.· I was amazed that he could sing such high notes.· He mocked her by repeating what she said in a high, childish voice.
a high-pitched sound or voice is very high, and often unpleasant or annoying to listen to: · Above the music on the radio was an annoying, high-pitched whistle.· I could hear high-pitched laughter coming from the girls' bedroom.
a piercing sound or voice is very high and loud, often with the result that it is unpleasant or painful to listen to: · Sammy put his finger and thumb in his mouth and gave a piercing whistle.· Maggie let out a piercing scream as she saw the truck speeding toward her.
very high, loud, and unexpectedly sharp, often giving the person who hears it a sudden shock: · I was suddenly woken up by the shrill ringing of the telephone.· As Sophie became angry her voice got shriller.
a squeaky sound or voice makes short high sounds, especially because there is something wrong with it: · This door needs oiling - it's very squeaky.· If you have a squeaky little voice, people tend not to listen to your ideas.
music that is tinny is high and unpleasant, especially because it comes from a low quality radio or musical instrument: · The music sounded tinny through the old speakers.· As he neared the park he could hear the tinny music from Joey's radio.
a high voice · I recognized Juliet's high, excited voice on the phone immediately.
high and often unpleasant or annoying to listen to: · Her voice was clear but rather high-pitched.· The commentary was punctuated by high-pitched giggles.
very high and loud, and unpleasant or painful to listen to: · Her voice was nasal and piercing.· He raised his hands and let out a piercing shriek.· There came a piercing cry from the back of the cinema.
very high and loud and unpleasant to listen to: · As Sophie became angry her voice got shriller.· Sylvie burst out in a shrill laugh before leaving the room.
a squeaky voice keeps changing between being too high and being normal, especially because there is something wrong with your throat: · He's had a throat infection for over a week and his voice has gone squeaky.· a band with a squeaky vocal style
WORD SETSassonance, nouncaw, nouncoarse, adjectivecreamy, adjectivecrisp, adjectivecrumbly, adjectiveecho, verbecho, nounfeathery, adjectivefibrous, adjectivefine, adjectivefleecy, adjectivegluey, adjectiveglutinous, adjectivegooey, adjectivehigh, adjectivehigh, adverbhigh-pitched, adjectivemelodic, adjectivemetre, nounpitch, nounpitch, verbpowdery, adjectiverhythm, nounribbed, adjectiveridged, adjectiverough, adjectiverumble, verbrumble, nounrumbling, nounsharp, adjectiveshriek, nounshrill, adjectivesizzle, verbsonic boom, nounsplash, nounsplat, nounsplutter, verbspongy, adjectivetattoo, nountexture, nountextured, adjectivethrum, verbthud, nounthud, verbthump, verbthump, nounthunder, nounthunder, verbthunderous, adjectivethwack, nountimbre, nounting, nounting-a-ling, nountinkle, nountinkle, verbtoll, nountoll, verbtone, nountoot, verbtoot, nounultrasound, nounyielding, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Sanders gave a low whistle when he saw the contents of the box.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
1a shrill sound is very high and unpleasant: (=with a very high sound)· The sound of gunfire mingled with the shrill screams of the injured.
Sanders gave a low whistle when he saw the contents of the box.· The radio talk shows are filled with shrill voices.· Dimly, Patrick Lundy heard the governess' shrill voice repeat - yet again - a line of verse.
· A shrill whistle is blown angrily by a shivering soldier, a sentry at the tomb.· Flora gave a shrill whistle and started trotting down the cliff.· A shrill whistle could be discerned, audible above the scrape and screech of the music.· Call a series of fluty piping notes, also a shrill whistle.· The policeman was blowing a shrill whistle.· Then he put his fingers in his mouth and let out a shrill whistle.
‘That’s not true,’ she protested in a shrill voice. a shrill whistle Fran uttered a shrill scream.► see thesaurus at high2shrill complaints, criticism, demands etc are too loud or strong and seem unreasonable: He hated the shrill demands of the children.—shrillness noun [uncountable]—shrilly /ˈʃrɪl-li, ˈʃrɪli/ adverb