roared; roaring; roars
Synonyms of roarnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make the loud sound of a wild animal
b
: to make a long, loud sound
sirens roaring
The engine roared back to life. [=made the loud sound of an engine and began running well]
sometimes used figuratively
Her career suddenly roared back to life.
c
: to sing or shout with full force
The fans roared when their team scored.
2
a
: to make or emit a loud confused sound (such as background reverberation or rumbling)
b
: to laugh loudly
3
a
: to be boisterous or disorderly
b
: to proceed or rush with great noise or commotion
The truck roared away/off.
sometimes used figuratively
The team came roaring back in the last quarter to win the game.
4
: to make a loud noise during inhalation (such as that of a horse affected with roaring)

transitive verb

1
: to utter or proclaim with a roar
"Watch out!" he roared.
often used with out
The sergeant roared out orders.
2
: to cause to roar
roaring their engines

roar

2 of 2

noun

1
: the deep cry of a wild animal (such as a lion)
2
: a loud deep cry (as of pain or anger)
3
: a loud continuous confused sound
the roar of the crowd
4
: a boisterous outcry

Examples of roar in a Sentence

Verb We heard a lion roar in the distance. The joke got the crowd roaring. The crowd roared its approval. She roared at him for being late. Noun the roar of the airplane engines the roar of the river
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
After the longest offseason of the Andy Reid era in Kansas City, the Chiefs roared into the 2026 season with a resounding 31-10 triumph over the Denver Broncos. Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026 Inside the arena, roars undulate across the stands any time the background music dips or transitions. Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2026
Noun
And perhaps with the roar of Braves country and the insight from Hefner, Holmes could match or even outperform one of his best outings. Jesús Cano, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026 Moore begins with a whisper and builds to a roar as Mona improvises a manic rant that involves rats and the plague. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for roar

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English roren, from Old English rārian; akin to Old High German rērēn to bleat

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roar was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roar. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

Kids Definition

roar

1 of 2 verb
1
: to utter a long full loud sound
the lion roared
2
: to laugh loudly
3
: to say with a roar
roarer
ˈrōr-ər
ˈrȯr-
noun

roar

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the deep loud cry of a wild animal (as a lion)
b
: a loud deep cry or shout
2
: a loud confused sound
the roar of the crowd
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