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 Perich, who received a game ball in the locker room postgame, is usually boisterous on the field, screaming and slapping himself on the helmet. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Oct. 2025 Having two kids under the age of 5 will be chaotic at the best of times, and many parents will point to bedtime as one of the many challenges, particularly with a boisterous four-year-old. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025 But skip the boisterous party vessels that pack in the passengers in favor of a vintage wooden salon boat. Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 1 Oct. 2025 During the past decade, Tranter has established himself as one of the music industry’s most reliable hitmakers, thanks to his clever, boisterous lyricism and dramatic, over-the-top choruses and hooks. Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boisterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boisterous
Adjective
  • Superstar Shohei Ohtani launched a two-run shot to cut the lead down to 11-4, but the momentum still appeared to be on the Blue Jays' side in a raucous Rogers Centre.
    Gabe Smallson, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
  • And that all came into play in Game 1, as the Jays thrashed the Los Angeles Dodgers, 11-4, at a raucous Rogers Centre on Friday night.
    Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Before long, Norm had a crew — The Invisibles— a rowdy group of personified conditions who blow off steam at a biker bar.
    David Soren, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
  • There also are those worried about player and staff safety as rowdy revelers stomp onto the field.
    Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The first dog that left Pecos in a plane was a sweet, rambunctious stray that Wright called Felicia.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2025
  • During YoungBoy’s latest performance on Thursday, the rapper paused his rowdy setlist to address a rambunctious fan in the crowd who kept throwing items onstage.
    Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the evening, the rooftop Art Bar came alive with DJs, creative cocktails, and a lively social atmosphere that catered to generations both young and old.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Both the jitterbug and Lindy Hop (which is often referred to as the granddaddy of the swing era dances) are lively, energetic swing dances that involve quick spins, sharp footwork and pure joy between a pair to a booming live band playing.
    Alexa Stone Updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 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
  • Even standard news programming is as noisy and disjointed as the output of a Bloomberg terminal.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Murray & His Blood Brothers, a blues-rock outfit comprised of singers and guitarists Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia and Jimmy Vivino, delivered a night of raucous, noisy blues and covers to the historic 2,360-person venue.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • His lightning guitar work — alongside a mandolinist, fiddler, upright-bassist and banjo player who are not too shabby on their respective strings themselves — delivered a rollicking half-hour that gave the fans in the bleachers plenty to dance to.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Once again, the debate in the book is not over whether or not people should be violent.
    Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • As a result, many legends are connected to its violent past, and its dungeon, in particular, is said to be haunted by tortured souls.
    Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Boisterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boisterous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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