strident
UK: ˈstraɪd(ə)nt | US: ˈstraɪd(ə)nt
adj. making or having a harsh, loud, or grating sound
adj. (of a manner or action) aggressively forceful or vehement
strident = strid<to creak, grate> + ent<adjective suffix>
- strid (from Latin stridēre, meaning "to creak, grate, or screech")
- ent (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word strident originates from the Latin verb stridēre, which describes harsh, grating sounds like metal scraping or a shrill cry. Over time, it evolved into English (via French strident) to describe both literal noisy sounds and figurative forceful/vigorous actions. The core logic ties the auditory harshness of strid- to metaphorical intensity in speech or behavior.
The strident alarm woke everyone in the building.
Her strident criticism of the policy drew mixed reactions.
The violin produced a strident note that echoed through the hall.
Protesters raised strident voices against the new law.
The seagull’s strident call pierced the morning silence.