Definition of boisterousnext

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 Keep track of your tone while Mercury squares off with boisterous Jupiter. Usa Today, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026 The Ducks came out flying, more than matching the enthusiasm of the boisterous crowd. Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026 The Ducks fed off a boisterous crowd that was itching for playoff hockey after patiently putting up with a lengthy rebuild. Eric Stephens, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026 Where would the Legion of Boom be without its boisterous leader, Richard Sherman. Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for boisterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boisterous
Adjective
  • The top candidates in California’s wide-open race for governor took the stage Wednesday night in a Los Angeles debate that began politely but quickly devolved into another raucous clash.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
  • The 3-year-old bay thoroughbred colt sent DeVaux and the rest of the owner’s box into a raucous affair as one can surely understand.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
Adjective
  • If Pan American Airways represented, at its height, victory and suavity, the country achieving a kind of European state of grace, then Spirit was the exact opposite—synonymous with the rowdy and the rude at the heart of the American character.
    Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026
  • Everyone — including smitten Ethan and her rowdy pack of pals — think this is a bad idea.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • The rambunctious anniversary parties.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 4 May 2026
  • On the way to save her beloved canine buddy Krypto, the party-hearty but tortured Supergirl teams up with a vengeful youngster (Ruthye Marye Knoll) and a rambunctious intergalactic bounty hunter (Jason Momoa).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The Tollgate, a pub frequented by hundreds of United supporters on matchdays, is lively even two and a half hours before kick-off.
    Chris McKenna, New York Times, 4 May 2026
  • That was until this Dutch upstart with his European aesthetic, lively and colorful stores and eye-popping marketing campaigns began to chisel away at their market share.
    Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
Adjective
  • In the crowd at that rumbustious Democratic Convention in 1896 was a journeyman journalist, L. Frank Baum, who had a number of careers behind him by that time.
    David McWilliams, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • But for centuries, Newcastle was a hard-scrabble, noisy, industrial powerhouse.
    Mark Phillips, CBS News, 3 May 2026
  • Currently, many campers use generators for larger vehicle setups, which can be noisy during the night for nearby tent campers.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 2 May 2026
Adjective
  • Murphy then appeared on stage to a rollicking standing ovation and made his way to his place at the dais toward the back of the room.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.
    Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The group above is wanted in connection with a violent robbery on board a CTA bus in Washington Park on April 9.
    Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 3 May 2026
  • More heavy elements, more violent eruptions.
    Paul Sutter, Space.com, 3 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boisterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boisterous. Accessed 11 May. 2026.

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