View synonyms for scream

scream

[ skreem ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to utter a loud, sharp, piercing cry.
to emit a shrill, piercing sound:
The sirens and whistles screamed.
to laugh immoderately or uncontrollably:
The comedian had the audience screaming.
to shout or speak shrilly, especially with harsh or exaggerated words:
They screamed across the back fence.
to play or sing in a high, loud, harsh manner.
to be conspicuous or startling:
That red dress really screams.

verb (used with object)

to utter with or as if with a loud, piercing cry:
His patience exhausted, he screamed the instructions to the class.
to bring (oneself) to a specified condition by loud and shrill shouts or cries:
We screamed ourselves hoarse at the concert.

noun

a loud, sharp, piercing cry:
Her scream frightened off the burglar.
Synonyms: screak, screech, shriek, outcry
a shrill, piercing sound:
the scream of the tires as the car rounded the curve.
Informal. someone or something that is hilariously funny:
The movie was a scream.

scream

/ skriːm /

verb

to utter or emit (a sharp piercing cry or similar sound or sounds), esp as of fear, pain, etc
intr to laugh wildly
intr to speak, shout, or behave in a wild or impassioned manner
tr to bring (oneself) into a specified state by screaming
she screamed herself hoarse
intr to be extremely conspicuous
these orange curtains scream, you need more restful colours in a bedroom

noun

a sharp piercing cry or sound, esp one denoting fear or pain
informal.
a person or thing that causes great amusement

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Other Words From

out·scream verb (used with object)

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; 1905–10 scream fordef 11; Middle English screamen (verb), (unattested) Old English scrǣman; akin to Old Norse skraumi “chatterbox, braggart,” skruma “to jabber”; sc- (for regular sh- as in Middle English shreame ) from obsolete scritch “to screech” ( screech

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scream¹

C13: from Germanic; compare Middle Dutch schreem, West Frisian skrieme to weep

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Synonym Study

Scream, shriek, screech apply to crying out in a loud, piercing way. To scream is to utter a loud, piercing cry, especially of pain, fear, anger, or excitement: to scream with terror. The word is used also for a little, barely audible cry given by one who is startled. Shriek usually refers to a sharper and briefer cry than scream; when caused by fear or pain, it is often indicative of more terror or distress; shriek is also used for shrill uncontrolled cries: to shriek with laughter. Screech emphasizes disagreeable shrillness and harshness, often with a connotation of lack of dignity: to screech approval at a rock concert.

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Example Sentences

The screams of Hell, Kyle, I can hear them faintly now.

From BBC

He concluded by saying: "The screams of Hell, Kyle, I can hear them faintly now. The red carpet will come out for you."

From BBC

She runs, screaming at them, at the camera, at the world: “Horse killers! Killers! Murderers! You’re liars! All of you, liars! You’re only happy when you can see something die!”

From Los Angeles Times

She then realised there was no-one around in the immediate vicinity to answer her screams, but after running a short distance she found another woman walking in the park who helped her contact police.

From BBC

"His mother made a mistake opening the door when she did. An HTS member fired between her legs... so she screamed," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

screak screamer

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