a shrieking wind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a shrieking wind' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe the sound of a wind that is blowing loudly or to create an image of a desolate and eerie landscape. For example, "The howling of a shrieking wind echoed throughout the barren and empty plains."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The men's parade also took place in a shrieking wind.

The New York Times

Vacationers at the resort at Posada del Sol described days of listening to a shrieking wind outside their cement compound, like a freight train or jet engine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

My soul felt like a high-flying jet whose doors suddenly blew off as the shrieking wind sucked everything out like a vacuum.

Huffington Post

The emotionally moving, shrieking, wind section, effectively accompanied by a police whistle, made for a memorable moment as well.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Angels have been seen running in grasses bent in the shrieking wind.

The New York Times

"It just blew my rice away," An Sung Hyun, a farmer near here, said of the shrieking winds that swept through Saturday morning, in the middle of the Chusok holiday, a national thanksgiving day.

The New York Times

Some New Yorkers managed to find serendipity amid the shrieking winds and pillaged grocery store aisles.

The New York Times

But after centuries of reinforcement, its protective walls failed – 141 million gallons of water, backed by shrieking winds, mounted the blockade.

The Guardian

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla., Sunday, Sept. 5 - Shrieking winds and angry sheets of rain thrashed Florida's coast as residents hunkered down in crowded shelters or in their barricaded homes to ride out the plodding, sprawling Hurricane Frances.

The New York Times

24 Florida Hunkers Down Shrieking winds and angry sheets of rain thrashed Florida's coast as residents hunkered down in crowded shelters or in their barricaded homes to ride out the plodding, sprawling Hurricane Frances. 1 Anger Over Fallout in Idaho A furor has erupted in Idaho over the health effects of nuclear bomb testing in Nevada 50 years ago.

The New York Times

He has a soft voice but a shrieking exterior.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a shrieking wind" to vividly depict scenes of harsh weather or emotional turmoil, creating a strong sense of atmosphere in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a shrieking wind" in contexts where the wind is not particularly intense or noteworthy; this can lead to melodramatic or unnatural prose. Opt for more neutral descriptors like 'strong wind' or 'gusty wind' in ordinary scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shrieking wind" functions primarily as a descriptive element, adding vivid imagery to portray the intensity and sound of the wind. According to Ludwig, this phrase evokes a sense of harshness and unease.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shrieking wind" is a grammatically sound and descriptively rich phrase, primarily employed to evoke strong imagery of intense weather conditions or emotional turmoil. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its use in various contexts. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media and academic writings. Consider alternatives like "a howling gale" or "a screaming gust" for similar effects, and be mindful of overusing the phrase in mundane scenarios to avoid melodrama. The phrase is more suited for creative and descriptive texts rather than formal or technical documents. Top authoritative sources employing this phrase includes The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a screeching wind

Replaces 'shrieking' with 'screeching', suggesting a high-pitched, harsh sound.

a howling gale

Changes 'shrieking' to 'howling', emphasizing the loud, sustained nature of the wind.

a wailing wind

Replaces 'shrieking' with 'wailing', suggesting a mournful, sorrowful sound produced by the wind.

a screaming gust

Substitutes 'shrieking' with 'screaming' and 'wind' with 'gust', highlighting a sudden, intense burst of wind.

a roaring wind

Uses 'roaring' instead of 'shrieking', conveying a deep, powerful sound.

a crying wind

Uses 'crying' instead of 'shrieking', personifying the wind and suggesting distress.

a whistling wind

Replaces 'shrieking' with 'whistling', focusing on a high-pitched, clear sound made by the wind.

a keening wind

Substitutes 'shrieking' with 'keening', evoking a sharp, piercing lament.

a moaning wind

Changes 'shrieking' to 'moaning', implying a low, mournful sound.

a blustering wind

Replaces 'shrieking' with 'blustering', focusing on the wind's forcefulness and turbulence.

FAQs

How can I use "a shrieking wind" in a sentence?

You can use "a shrieking wind" to describe intense weather conditions, such as "The old house groaned under the force of "a shrieking wind" during the storm".

What is the difference between "a shrieking wind" and "a howling wind"?

"A shrieking wind" implies a high-pitched, piercing sound, while "a howling wind" suggests a lower, drawn-out, and mournful sound.

What can I say instead of "a shrieking wind" to describe a less intense wind?

For less intense winds, consider using phrases like "a strong wind", "a gusty wind", or "a stiff breeze".

Is it appropriate to use "a shrieking wind" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a shrieking wind" is more suited for descriptive or creative writing. In formal or technical contexts, consider using more neutral terms like "high winds" or "strong winds".