screechy
Like nails, chalkboards
Screechy describes sounds that are high-pitched, harsh, and grating—the quality of a screech.
A screechy voice sets teeth on edge; screechy brakes need replacing.
The screechy violin made everyone wince.
The word is informal and slightly playful, more likely in casual speech than formal writing.
Shrill, piercing cry
- squealShrill, piercing cry
- squawkHarsh grating bird cry
- screamLoud sharp cry
- howlProlonged mournful cry
wail · yelp · squeak · caterwaul · yowl · whistle · blare · honk
High in frequency
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- trebleHigh frequency range
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
- sopranoHighest female voice range
ultrasonic · whistle · piccolo · whine · ear-splitting · sharp · tinny · thin
Crossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- cacophonousHarsh and jarring
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- dissonantLacking harmonic agreement
inharmonious · off-key · clashing · unmelodious · strident · raucous · out-of-tune · atonal
Wailing alert device
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- warningAlert about danger
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- smoke detectorCombustion particle sensor
car alarm · fire alarm · klaxon · horn · buzzer · signal · ambulance · police
Causing mild frustration
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
- nerve-wrackingCausing extreme anxiety
obnoxious · unpleasant · exasperating · aggravating · vexing · ear-splitting · intrusive · disturbing
shriek
Shrill, piercing cry
howl · wail · yelp · squeak · caterwaul · yowl · whistle · blare · honk · screaming
high-pitched
High in frequency
- piercingPenetrating or very sharp
- trebleHigh frequency range
- falsettoArtificially elevated singing register
soprano · ultrasonic · whistle · piccolo · whine · ear-splitting · sharp · tinny · thin · reedy
grating
Crossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- cacophonousHarsh and jarring
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
dissonant · inharmonious · off-key · clashing · unmelodious · strident · raucous · out-of-tune · atonal · rasping
siren
Wailing alert device
smoke detector · car alarm · fire alarm · klaxon · horn · buzzer · signal · ambulance · police · wake-up
irritating
Causing mild frustration
- gratingCrossed bars or harsh
- jarringDisturbingly incongruous
- bothersomeCausing mild annoyance
nerve-wracking · obnoxious · unpleasant · exasperating · aggravating · vexing · ear-splitting · intrusive · disturbing · unbearable
screechymelodious
Agreeable in sound
mellifluous · dulcet · harmonious · soothing · melodic
- screech owlsSmall raptors with piercing calls
screech, screeching, screeches, screeched, screecher, screechiest, screechier, screechers