vociferous

1 of 2

adjective

vo·​cif·​er·​ous vō-ˈsi-f(ə-)rəs 

: marked by or given to vehement insistent outcry

vociferously adverb

vociferousness noun

vociferousness

2 of 2

noun

vo·​cif·​er·​ous·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being vociferous

Did you know?

Hear ye! Hear ye! To vociferate is to cry out loudly and insistently. Those who vociferate qualify as vociferous, especially when they loudly or insistently show their support for or displeasure in something by hootin' and hollerin'. Both vociferate and vociferous come from the Latin verb vociferari, a combining of vox, meaning "voice," with ferre, meaning "to carry." In addition to describing loud and insistent individuals and groups—critics, crowds, fans, et al.—vociferous can be used for anything characterized by loud insistence, as in "vociferous complaints," "a vociferous defense," and "vociferous support."

Synonyms of vociferous

Adjective

• outspoken
• vocal
• blatant
• noisy

Choose the Right Synonym for vociferous

vociferous, clamorous, blatant, strident, boisterous, obstreperous mean so loud or insistent as to compel attention.

vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music

a blatant clamor for impeachment

strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Examples of vociferous in a Sentence

Adjective

He is her most vociferous critic.

He was vociferous in his support of the proposal.

The decision was made over their vociferous objections.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Like Eala, his matches are chock-a-block with soccer-style flag waving, face painting and vociferous cheering. — Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Or, faced with the wrath of the huge Baby Boom generation — who tend to be voters and vociferous — will Congress act in time? — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

However, the officials did not spot the handball in real time, and—with no video review system available then—the goal counted, despite vociferous protests from the English players and fans. — Tushaar Kuthiala, Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 June 2026

Mentions of the San Antonio Spurs also elicited vociferous boos. — Stephen Whyno, Fortune, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin vōciferārī "to utter with a loud voice, shout, yell" + -ous — more at vociferate

First Known Use

Adjective

1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vociferous

• auriferous
• calciferous
• coniferous
• pestiferous
• argentiferous
• carboniferous
• fossiliferous
• manganiferous
• metalliferous
• odoriferous
• seminiferous
• titaniferous

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Kids Definition

vociferous

adjective

vo·​cif·​er·​ous vō-ˈsif-(ə-)rəs 

: making a loud outcry : noisy, clamorous

vociferously adverb