the word strident originates from the latin verb stridēre, which means to creak, grate, or hiss. this latin root is believed to be of imitative origin, mimicking the very harsh sound it describes. the suffix -ent, a present participle ending, was added to form the latin adjective stridēns (stem strident-), meaning "creaking" or "grating." entering english in the mid-17th century, "strident" initially described literal loud, harsh sounds before its meaning expanded metaphorically in the 20th century to describe aggressively forceful or shrill opinions and mannerisms.

Structure: strid (make a harsh sound) + ent (adjective suffix) strid (from latin stridēre, meaning to creak, grate, hiss, or make a harsh sound). ent (from latin present participle suffix -ent-, used to form adjectives meaning "doing or being something").