screaky
Making shrill sounds
Screaky describes a harsh, high-pitched sound—a blend of screechy and squeaky.
A screaky voice grates on the ears; screaky brakes need replacing.
The word is informal and uncommon, used when neither screech nor squeak quite captures the irritating quality: The old screen door made a screaky noise every time it opened.
High in frequency
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- stridentHarsh and piercing
- squeakyHigh-pitched and grating
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
tinny · squealing · penetrating · whistling · ear-piercing · thin · reedy · whiny
Shrill, piercing cry
- whineComplain in high pitch
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- raspingHarsh and grating
- grindingMolar action sometimes
scraping · scratching · rusty · hinge · door · floorboard · wheel · chalk
Causing mild irritation
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- unpleasantCausing discomfort or distaste
- nerve-wrackingCausing extreme anxiety
aggravating · bothersome · irksome · vexing · discordant · cacophonous · harsh · dissonant
high-pitched
High in frequency
sharp · tinny · squealing · penetrating · whistling · ear-piercing · thin · reedy · whiny · grating
squeal
Shrill, piercing cry
grinding · scraping · scratching · rusty · hinge · door · floorboard · wheel · chalk · fingernails
annoying
Causing mild irritation
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- unpleasantCausing discomfort or distaste
nerve-wracking · aggravating · bothersome · irksome · vexing · discordant · cacophonous · harsh · dissonant · off-putting
rusty
Corroded or unpracticed
grinding · stiff · corroded · weathered · neglected · seized · binding · rubbing · chafing · abrasive