/skriːtʃ/
to make an unpleasant, loud, high noise:
She was screeching at him at the top of her voice.
He was screeching with pain/laughter.
[ + speech ] “Don’t you dare touch me!” she screeched.
The car screeched to a halt/standstill (= stopped very suddenly, making a loud high noise).
figurative The economic recovery is likely to screech to a halt/standstill (= stop very suddenly) if taxes are increased.