screeching

1 of 2

adjective

screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
Synonyms of screechingnext
: abrupt, sudden
her career came to a screeching halt

screeching

2 of 2

present participle of screech entry 2

Synonyms of screeching

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Adjective

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Examples of screeching in a Sentence

Adjective the screeching blast of the factory whistle hurt my ears
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Ditch the pull-ups during the day There’s no disputing that pull-up diapers can be a great help with potty training, but when toddlers get too comfortable with what was intended to be a safety net, progress can grind to a screeching halt. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 And in some parts of Greece, fires have forced tourism to come to a screeching halt. — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 There are still so many dynamics among this cast worth exploring away from distractions like a screeching Tamra. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2026 But when decisions stall, momentum slows, sometimes to a screeching halt. — Nathan Mitchell, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for screeching

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of screeching was in 1904

Phrases Containing screeching

Rhymes for screeching

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Browse Nearby Words

screecher
screeching
screeching/crashing halt
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Cite this Entry

“Screeching.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/screeching. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

screeching

adjective
screech·​ing ˈskrē-chiŋ How to pronounce screeching (audio)
: sudden sense 1a
her career came to a screeching halt
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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