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 Tyla’s year has been boisterous and big. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 28 Aug. 2025 Special effects like simulated lightning and boisterous cast member banter may remind guests of Trader Sam’s, but louder and rowdier. Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025 While Wimbledon – and most other tennis tournaments – require near total silence on court, the reality at Flushing Meadows is something slightly more boisterous. Ben Church, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025 Goodbye June is fictional but in part there are tiny tender threads inspired in part by the big boisterous family Anders was born into. Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boisterous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boisterous
Adjective
  • Almost every minute of their next few hours is broadcast to millions worldwide and soundtracked by the raucous crowd inside a cauldron-like Arthur Ashe Stadium.
    Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The Golden State fans in black and violet get even louder, live on the edge of raucous and dance like no one’s watching, whether the music is by Mac Dre or Rihanna.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In Aurora, some of the attendees became drunk and rowdy.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Flipper’s Boogie Palace at LaCienega and Santa Monica was also the A lister’s night spot of its time, the roller disco home of the trendy (including a young Laura Dern), many in glitter hot pants ready for the rowdy rink.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For the child with an active imagination, give them a bed frame that matches their rambunctious energy.
    Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The children grow, with the eldest Susanna (Bodhi Rae Breathnach) helping to look after her rambunctious siblings.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On a sunny Tuesday morning, 35-year-old Rita Guerrero stepped out from her door on North Mariposa Street, lively pup Olive barely contained by her leash.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Zarutska worked in a lively area of the lower South End dotted with breweries, apartment complexes and coffee shops.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 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
  • During recent surveys for these noisy lizards in Namibia, researchers found five species new to science, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The Aventho 200’s microphone uses Qualcomm’s cVc technology to ensure high-quality audio on phone calls and video meetings, even in noisy environments such as crowded trains or busy airports.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 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 left is always, at all times and places, a violent phenomenon full of hatred.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Dinah Voyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, has written about hurricanes, tornadoes and violent weather for more than 30 years.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Boisterous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boisterous. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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