shrills

Cries out sharply

Shrills is the third-person singular form of shrill, meaning to make a high-pitched, piercing sound: The whistle shrills across the field.

The verb is less common than the adjective shrill, which describes such sounds—a shrill voice, a shrill alarm.

When something shrills, it cuts through other noise with sharp insistence.

vocalization

pierces

Passes sharply through

screechesHigh-pitched harsh cries
screamsLoud, piercing cries
shrieksSharp, piercing cries

squeals · whistles · cries · wails · yelps · squawks · keens · yells · hollers · howls

alarm

whistles

High-pitched signal sounds

sirensEmergency vehicle noisemakers
alarmsSignals indicating danger
bellsStruck metal sound-makers

buzzers · klaxons · signals · warnings · horns · alerts · blares · rings · beeps · screeches

criticism

protests

Public expressions of opposition

complainsExpresses discontent verbally
denouncesPublicly criticizes harshly
beratesScolds severely

harangues · scolds · nags · carps · rails · rants · tirades · attacks · condemns · decries

Opposites

pitch

shrillsrumbles

Deep rolling sounds

booms · thunders · growls · drones · bass notes

volume and intensity

shrillsmurmurs

Speaks in hushed tones

whispers · mumbles · mutters · hushes · breathes

quality of sound

shrillssoothes

Gently relieves distress

croons · hums · purrs · coos · dulcet tones

Phrases

shrill soundHarsh high-frequency noise

Family

shrill, shrilly, shrilled, shrilling, shrillness, shriller, shrillest

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G