First Known Use: circa 1656
Dictionary
strident
adjective stri·dent \ˈstrī-dənt\
: sounding harsh and unpleasant
: expressing opinions or criticism in a very forceful and often annoying or unpleasant way
Full Definition of STRIDENT
: characterized by harsh, insistent, and discordant sound <a strident voice>; also : commanding attention by a loud or obtrusive quality <strident slogans>
— stri·dent·ly adverb
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Origin of STRIDENT
Latin strident-, stridens, present participle of stridere, stridēre to make a harsh noise
Synonym Discussion of STRIDENT
loud, stentorian, earsplitting, raucous, strident mean marked by intensity or volume of sound. loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness <loud shouts of protest>. stentorian implies great power and range <an actor with a stentorian voice>. earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting <the earsplitting sound of a siren>. raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness <the raucous shouts of drunken revelers>. strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice <the strident voices of hecklers>.
vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention. vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out <vociferous cries of protest and outrage>. clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting <clamorous demands for prison reforms>. blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness <blatant rock music> <a blatant clamor for impeachment>. strident suggests harsh and discordant noise <heard the strident cry of the crow>. boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits <a boisterous crowd of party goers>. obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint <the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested>.
vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention. vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out <vociferous cries of protest and outrage>. clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting <clamorous demands for prison reforms>. blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness <blatant rock music> <a blatant clamor for impeachment>. strident suggests harsh and discordant noise <heard the strident cry of the crow>. boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits <a boisterous crowd of party goers>. obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint <the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested>.
Rhymes with STRIDENT
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