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"Strident" describes a harsh, grating, and insistent sound or quality. 📢 Think of a loud, piercing alarm, a screeching car brake, or someone speaking in a forceful and uncompromising way. It's an unpleasant and often jarring experience. It's different from a soft, gentle sound or a polite, accommodating manner. A strident voice or sound can be attention-grabbing but also irritating. The opposite is soothing.
The word "strident" comes from the Latin word "stridens," which is the present participle of "stridere," meaning to make a harsh sound or creak. It entered the English language in the 17th century, retaining its original sense of a harsh, grating noise. The meaning expanded to include forceful and insistent opinions or behavior. The association with sound and behavior emphasizes the forceful impact of both.
During a school debate, one student used a strident tone that really put people off. Instead of persuading them, she just annoyed them with her loud and forceful arguments. Her debate coach later advised her to be calmer and more reasonable. Sometimes strident can be too much!
"Strident" is a strong word to describe something harsh and forceful! Use it when you want to emphasize the unpleasantness or insistence of a sound or behavior. Now go be less strident!
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