Word
strident
Phoneticsstri·dent, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈstɹaɪdənt/
UK/stɹˈaɪdənt/
Definition
adj. very loud, harsh and sharp in a way that hurts your ears. You also use it for a voice or opinion that is strong, forceful and hard to ignore.
adj. loud, harsh, and grating in tone, often unpleasantly shrill. Extends to speech, criticism, or opinions delivered with forceful and unyielding insistence.
Examples
“Her strident voice fills the small classroom.”
“The neighbours complain about the strident alarm that rings every morning at six.”
“Despite the strident debate in parliament, the committee reached a quiet compromise late in the evening.”
Examples
simple
“Her strident voice fills the small classroom.”
contextual
“The neighbours complain about the strident alarm that rings every morning at six.”
complex
“Despite the strident debate in parliament, the committee reached a quiet compromise late in the evening.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “strident” in context.
Verb
01. become strident
“The debate became strident when funding cuts were announced.”
verb + adj
02. grow strident
“Critics grew strident after the report exposed safety failures.”
verb + adj
03. sound strident
“She tried to stay calm but sounded strident on the phone.”
verb + adj
Adjective
04. extremely strident
“The smoke alarm was extremely strident and woke the whole building.”
adv + adj
05. increasingly strident
“The protests became increasingly strident as the government refused to negotiate.”
adv + adj
06. particularly strident
“Animal rights campaigners were particularly strident in condemning the tests.”
adv + adj
Noun
07. strident attack on
“The editorial launched a strident attack on ministerial incompetence.”
adj + noun + prep
08. a strident blast from
“A strident blast from the horn warned pedestrians to step back.”
09. become increasingly strident over
“Media coverage became increasingly strident over immigration policy.”
10. face strident opposition over
“The council faced strident opposition over plans to close libraries.”
11. in a strident tone
“He dismissed the proposal in a strident tone that alienated colleagues.”
12. issue a strident denunciation of
“The union issued a strident denunciation of the proposed pay cuts.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies; also used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'sound'.
Real-World Examples
“In unusually strident remarks to Reuters this week, U.S. Consul-General Hanscom Smith called it "appalling" that Beijing's influence had "vilified" routine diplomatic activities such as meeting local activists, part of a government crackdown on foreign forces that was "casting a pall over the city".” “Jega is best known in Africa's most populous nation as a strident campaigner against military rule during his time as head of the academic staff union of universities in the 1990s.” Etymology
From French strident, from Latin strīdēns, present active participle of strīdō.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/strident