刺耳

cì'ěr
  1. (figurative, of words) caustic; uncomfortable to hear
  2. (of a shrill or loud sound) irritating to the ear; penetrating; shrill; ear-piercing
  3. caustic; uncomfortable to hear
  4. irritating to the ear; penetrating; shrill; ear-piercing

Wiktionary

Homographs

刺耳 cìěr ear-piercing

Entry Composition

=1 刺 cī (onom.) whoosh
=1 刺 cì
  1. thorn
  2. sting
  3. thrust
  4. to prick
  5. to pierce
  6. to stab
  7. to assassinate
  8. to murder
=1 刺 qì only used in 刺促 (qìcù)
2 耳 ěr
  1. ear
  2. handle (archaeology)
  3. and that is all (Classical Chinese)