Meaning & use
screamed at
Last updated
“screamed at” is a form of “scream at”.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Shouted very loudly and angrily at someone, usually to express anger or frustration.
Grammar: Takes an object: screamed at someone. Often used with 'at'.
Patterns
- screamed at someone
- screamed at someone to do something
She screamed at her brother for breaking her phone.
The coach screamed at the players to run faster.
verbtransitive
Made a loud, high-pitched sound because of fear, pain, or excitement, directed toward someone or something.
Grammar: Takes an object: screamed at the sight of something.
Patterns
- screamed at something
The audience screamed at the sudden explosion on stage.
He screamed at the top of his lungs when he saw the spider.
Common combinations
- screamed at someone in anger
- He screamed at her in anger, then immediately apologized.
- screamed at the top of one's lungs
- She screamed at the top of her lungs for help.
- screamed at someone to stop
- The mother screamed at the children to stop running near the road.
Synonyms and how they differ
- yelled at
- Similar but less intense; 'yelled' can be loud but not as high-pitched or emotional as 'screamed'.
- shouted at
- Focuses on volume rather than the high-pitched, emotional quality of a scream.
Word family
Commonly confused: screamed at or screamed for?
screamed at vs screamed for
'Screamed for' means shouted to get something or to ask for help, while 'screamed at' means directed a scream toward a person or thing, often in anger.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'screamed at' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Screamed at' is used when you shout angrily at a person, as in B. An and C are wrong because you don't scream at a sunset or cake in this sense; D should be 'screamed with happiness'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “screamed at”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.