shriek

shriek — verb

  • shriekpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • shriekshe / she / it
  • shriekedpast simple
  • shrieking-ing form

1. to make a sudden, very high, loud cry because you feel strong fear, pain, excite

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to make a sudden, very high, loud cry because you feel strong fear, pain, excitement, or surprise

例句

Padma shrieked when the icy water splashed over her bare feet.

shriek + when-clause for sudden shock or pain

Baraka shrieked with laughter after the goat stole his sandwich.

shriek with + emotion

同義詞
  • scream

    close in meaning, but often a little broader and not always as thin or piercing

  • screech

    harsher and more unpleasant, often used for birds or machines as well as people

  • yelp

    shorter and quicker, especially for sudden pain

反義詞
  • whisper

    to speak or make a sound very softly

文法句型

shriek

shriek with + emotion

shriek in + emotion

shriek when/as-clause

用法筆記

Often followed by with or in plus the feeling behind the sound. This sense focuses on the cry itself, not on the words spoken.

常見錯誤

❌He shouted when the spider landed on his neck.
✅He shrieked when the spider landed on his neck.
💡'shout' can be loud speech, but 'shriek' suggests a sudden, piercing cry of fear or shock.
❌The singer shrieked a warning from the stage.
✅The singer shrieked when she saw smoke near the lights.
💡if actual words are the focus, use sense 2; this sense is about the cry itself.

2. to force words out in a piercing, high voice, usually because the situation feel

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to force words out in a piercing, high voice, usually because the situation feels urgent or highly emotional

例句

Ari shrieked my name from the porch when the bus arrived.

shriek + noun phrase (a name)

"Don't touch that wire!" Mert shrieked from across the garage.

shriek + direct quote

同義詞
  • scream

    very close, but often less focused on a thin, piercing quality

  • yell

    loud and forceful, but not necessarily high-pitched

  • call out

    more neutral and less extreme in emotion or pitch

反義詞
  • murmur

    to say something quietly and not very clearly

文法句型

shriek + speech

shriek + noun phrase

shriek + that-clause

用法筆記

Usually takes a quote, a short message, or a noun like name, warning, or apology. Distinguish from sense 1, where the sound matters more than the actual words.

常見錯誤

❌The children shrieked for ten minutes on the ride.
✅The children shrieked with excitement for ten minutes on the ride.
💡without reported words, this usually belongs to sense 1.
❌She shrieked to me that dinner was ready.
✅She shrieked that dinner was ready.
💡when a that-clause carries the message, omit 'to me' and keep the focus on the shouted words.

shriek — noun