shrill

/ˈʃɹɪɫ/

high-pitched and piercing

shrill in a sentence

“The shrill whistle signaled the train's departure.”

Middle English shrille, of Germanic origin

Related Words

guttural

harsh-sounding; produced in the throat

sibilant

making a hissing sound

plaintive

sounding sad and mournful

euphonious

pleasing to the ear

cacophonous

involving or producing harsh, discordant sounds

stentorian

extremely loud and powerful