Definition

The quality of being loud, harsh, or forceful in sound or expression.

Example

The stridency of her voice made it difficult to concentrate on the conversation.

Conversation

Did you notice the stridency in her voice during the meeting?

Yeah, it was hard to ignore; she was really passionate about her ideas.

I wonder if that stridency helped get her point across more effectively.

Definitely! Sometimes a strong tone can really make a difference.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stridency → It is formed from "stridens" (from Latin, meaning shrill or piercing) and the suffix "-cy" (meaning the state or quality of). The word "stridency" refers to the quality of being shrill or having a piercing sound.

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word for shrill, 'stridens', to remember that stridency describes a quality of being piercing or sharp in sound.

Visually Confused Words