Stridency

Noun

Definition: The fact or quality of being loud, harsh, and grating in sound or character.

Synonyms: Loudness, Discordance, Harshness

Antonyms: Softness, Mellowness, Harmony

Examples:

The stridency of his voice filled the room.
The stridency of the alarm woke me up abruptly.

Mnemonics:

"Stridency" sounds similar to "loud and harsh."

Etymology:

Origin:

Stridency is derived from the Latin word "stridere" meaning "to make a harsh noise."

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the mid-19th century to describe unpleasant sounds or strident tones.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Political stridency"

Explanation:

Refers to the forceful, uncompromising language used in political discourse that does not try to avoid upsetting others.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Treating stridency as a positive quality.

Explanation:

Stridency is typically associated with negative connotations due to its harsh and grating nature. It's often used to describe unpleasant sounds or abrasive behavior.