Definition of stentoriannext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stentorian contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stentorian are earsplitting, loud, raucous, and strident. While all these words mean "marked by intensity or volume of sound," stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

When is earsplitting a more appropriate choice than stentorian?

While in some cases nearly identical to stentorian, earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

When can loud be used instead of stentorian?

The meanings of loud and stentorian largely overlap; however, loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

When could raucous be used to replace stentorian?

The synonyms raucous and stentorian are sometimes interchangeable, but raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

When might strident be a better fit than stentorian?

The words strident and stentorian can be used in similar contexts, but strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stentorian The sensation of ripping through six forward gears with the LT4’s stentorian roar echoing off a canyon wall is one of the best in motoring. Kyle Hyatt, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026 Broder was famous for always choosing his words carefully and for a stentorian delivery that commanded attention. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025 With his rumbling, stentorian voice, Woods locates unusual pockets inside of beats and deploys a dense, pictorial songwriting style that Earl Sweatshirt compared to Public Enemy’s Chuck D, both in volume and his relationship to rhythm. Ross Scarano, New York Times, 15 May 2025 The man standing at the podium has the steady, stentorian voice of an authority figure, someone who issues orders and expects them to be heeded without question, and the look of a zealot in his eyes. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for stentorian
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stentorian
Adjective
  • Fedorov’s removal came as Russian missiles struck Kyiv early Thursday, with loud explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital just hours before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was set to arrive.
    Tim Lister, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Because of the mechanical complexity required to pull the large film stock through these cameras, the cameras are known to be notoriously expensive, heavy, and loud.
    Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 July 2026
Adjective
  • Each time the Swiss team scored, a deafening roar cut through the thick tropical air.
    Rob Schmitz, NPR, 24 June 2026
  • The bear was almost on top of us when, with a deafening roar, the shot from both barrels smacked into that enormous shaggy head.
    Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • The murder mystery has so far flown under the radar, despite having Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany as the lead, but just received a ringing endorsement from author extraordinaire Stephen King.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 25 June 2026
  • About a dozen other Republican backers of the Iran war either declined or did not respond to requests for interviews or comment—hardly a ringing endorsement of their president’s negotiating prowess.
    Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stentorian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stentorian. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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