Piercing cry Crossword Clue

Today's (4 March 2024) crossword provided to us by The Guardian Quick and the clue is "Piercing cry".
The right answer or rather the best answer listed below:

Understanding Today's Crossword Puzzle

The clue "Piercing cry" leads us to think of a loud, sharp sound associated with discomfort or alarm. In this context, the answer to this clue, "SCREECH," fits perfectly due to its precise description of a high-pitched, piercing noise often made by birds or other animals. Let's break down why this answer aligns with the clue:

• Observation: A "piercing cry" implies a sound that cuts through the air.
• Characteristics: The word "screech" itself evokes the image of a harsh, shrill sound.
• Contextual Fit: When considering animals like owls or tires suddenly stopping, "screech" becomes even more synonymous with a piercing cry.

Definition of "SCREECH"

(of a person or animal) give a loud, harsh, piercing cry

Example :

she hit her brother, causing him to screech with pain

the car drove off at speed, its tyres screeching

the van screeched round a bend at speed

 The Crossword clue "Piercing cry" published 35 time/s & has 5 answer/s. 

Crossword	Date	Answer
The Guardian Quick	4 March 2024	SCREECH
The Sun Two Speed	30 January 2024	SHRIEK
USA Today	12 December 2023	SCREAM
Daily American	12 August 2023	SCREAM
Independent.co.uk - Concise	23 December 2022	SHRIEK
The Times Concise	12 August 2022	SCREAM
Eugene Sheffer – King Feature Syndicate	1 April 2020	SCREECH
Jonesin	6 November 2018	SHRIEK
The Telegraph - Quick	5 November 2018	SCREAM
Penny dell sunday	19 August 2018	SHRIEK
The Times Cryptic	16 September 2012	KEEN
The Guardian	27 March 2012	SCREAM
Thinks.com	12 January 2011	SCREAM
L.A. Times Daily	28 February 2010	SHRIEK