Synonym Chooser

How is the word boisterous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of boisterous are blatant, clamorous, obstreperous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When would blatant be a good substitute for boisterous?

The words blatant and boisterous can be used in similar contexts, but blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

When is it sensible to use clamorous instead of boisterous?

While in some cases nearly identical to boisterous, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

In what contexts can obstreperous take the place of boisterous?

The meanings of obstreperous and boisterous largely overlap; however, obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would strident be a reasonable alternative to boisterous?

While the synonyms strident and boisterous are close in meaning, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

When is vociferous a more appropriate choice than boisterous?

In some situations, the words vociferous and boisterous are roughly equivalent. However, vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

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 boisterous But analysts have said a key factor also has been growing international protest against the brand because of Musk’s affiliation with the Trump administration and his boisterous leadership of its budget-cutting Department of Government Efficiency. Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Throughout a boisterous show with countless distorted jam sessions, White shuffled, squealed, stomped and screamed. Audrey Gibbs, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 Using vulgar, profane or indecent language in a loud or boisterous manner in the presence of children. Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 16 June 2025 The other Jaylin Williams will be in a boisterous section with Lu Dort and the other younger Thunder players but also often parrying back and forth with his namesake and Gilgeous-Alexander. John Hollinger, New York Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for boisterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boisterous
Adjective
  • Colbert also announced the cancellation to his own audience on Thursday's episode of The Late Show, which was greeted with a raucous round of booing.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 18 July 2025
  • The course last hosted The Open in 2019, when Shane Lowry triumphed in front of a raucous home crowd.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • The doc contains lots of footage of the rowdy crowd.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 8 July 2025
  • More toward the rowdy end are the closet-sized bars of Shinjuku’s Golden Gai, a warren of grungy alleys home to snug drinking holes with obscure themes and idiosyncratic bartender-owners.
    Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2025
Adjective
  • But this new version of Krypto is both very powerful and very rambunctious, and Superman has trouble training him, much to the amusement of Superman’s peers like Batman.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 11 July 2025
  • Our new dogs, Coal and Pepper, are littermates, 2-year-old black-and-white Lab mixes, very curious and rambunctious.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Adjective
  • Yanga features the vibrant colors, lively rhythms, melodic tunes, and bold concepts of Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 July 2025
  • Visitors are always welcome to join the event for a lively meeting filled with camaraderie, inspiring guest speakers, and a delicious lunch.
    News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 July 2025
Adjective
  • Around this time, the outfit’s quirky, lightly rumbustious songs began to resonate across British press and radio; accessible while containing a marked dose of strangeness, Fontaine’s songwriting – at once emotionally raw and witty – boasted a strong multi-generational appeal.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 8 May 2025
  • The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
Adjective
  • The world is crowded, noisy, and sometimes hostile.
    F. Willis Johnson, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
  • The negatives included noisy wheels and some faulty stitching.
    Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2025
Adjective
  • Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.
    Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2023
  • His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.
    Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • The two got married, had a baby, and started a quiet life together far away from his violent past.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • As droves of tourists continue to flock to Spain for European summer vacations, the nation’s emergency responders are dealing with the aftermath of a violent wave of flash flooding in nearly half of the country’s 50 provinces.
    Opheli Garcia Lawler, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Boisterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boisterous. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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