definition of
strident

[1] #1 strident s. [fricative, continuant, sibilant, spirant] of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as 'f', 's', 'z', or 'th' in both 'thin' and 'then'). wn

[2] #2 strident s. [shrill] being sharply insistent on being heard; "strident demands"; "shrill criticism". wn

[3] #3 strident s. [raucous] unpleasantly loud and harsh. wn