Words / C2

STRYDNT/ˈstraɪdnt/

Strident means loud and harsh, or aggressively forceful in opinion: a strident tone, strident demands. Loud is everyday and physical; shrill is a close, often gendered trap — use with care. Harsh and shouty are spoken cousins, and in argument strident often criticises manner, not substance. In speech, too harsh or coming on too strong is safer; a good point can still be ruined by a strident delivery.

Meaning

Loud and harsh, or aggressively forceful in opinion.

Examples

• “A strident tone can weaken a good argument.”
• “A strident email made a fair complaint easy to ignore.”
• “The brass was strident in that hall; the strings disappeared.”

Good to know

Harshly loud, or aggressively forceful. Everyday: harsh / shouty. Criticises tone. Use shrill with care.

Near in meaning

harsh

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