WordWeb Online

1. Conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
   "strident demands";
   - blatant, clamant, clamorous, vociferous
    
2. Of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as 'f', 's', 'z', or 'th' in both 'thin' and 'then')
   - fricative, continuant, sibilant, spirant
    
3. Being sharply insistent on being heard
   "strident demands";
   - shrill
    
4. Unpleasantly loud and harsh
   - raucous

See also: cacophonic, cacophonous, imperative, noisy, soft

Encyclopedia: Strident