1. the quality of being shrill; a high-pitched, piercing, or harsh sound quality

Examples

• The shrillness of the fire alarm hurt everyone’s ears.
• She winced at the shrillness of the microphone feedback.
• The shrillness in his voice revealed his anger.
• The teacher asked the students to lower the shrillness of their excited chatter.
• The shrillness of the whistle cut through the noise of the crowd.
• Her voice lost its shrillness as she calmed down.