Synonyms of boisterous

boisterous

adjective

ˈbȯi-st(ə-)rəs 

as in raucous

being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way

the fans at the baseball game became particularly boisterous after the home run

Synonyms & Similar Words

• raucous
• rowdy
• rambunctious
• lively
• rumbustious
• noisy
• rollicking
• robustious
• wild and woolly
• roisterous
• violent
• hell-raising
• knockabout
• carnival
• riotous
• screaming
• exuberant
• raffish
• uninhibited
• ruffianly
• uncontrolled
• uncontrollable
• turbulent
• unruly
• bubbly
• obstreperous
• carnivalesque
• undisciplined
• vivacious
• impassioned
• unmanageable
• wild
• vociferous
• high-spirited
• headstrong
• rampageous
• effervescent
• tempestuous
• buoyant
• strident
• sprightly
• recalcitrant
• unrestrained
• larrikin
• yelling
• unreserved
• stormy
• intractable
• ungovernable
• rowdyish
• loudmouthed
• clamorous
• willful
• rackety
• howling
• callithumpian
• open-mouthed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• orderly
• solemn
• somber
• sedate
• staid
• dignified
• sober
• silent
• quiet
• proper
• decorous
• calm
• peaceful
• restrained
• placid
• serene
• tranquil
• composed
• hushed
• seemly
• controlled
• noiseless
• collected
• subdued
• unflappable
• unruffled
• moderate
• reasonable
• imperturbable
• inhibited
• soundless
• repressed
• constrained
• temperate
• phlegmatic
• stoic
• stolid
• impassive
• aloof
• indifferent
• depressed
• detached
• self-controlled

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

Recent Examples of boisterous

The full-bodied physicality with which delas Alas imbues her performance turns such punishingly poignant bits into the stuff of boisterous spectacle. — Lé Baltar, IndieWire, 13 Aug. 2026

Her boisterous pre-teen twins Ethan and Caleb are too young to grasp quite what’s at stake; high school sophomore Sophie (Sandler) has rather more vivid memories of going through this anguish before. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026

Once a lawyerly panel, a takeover by a trio of conservatives deeply mistrustful of the state’s voting system has turned the board’s once mundane meetings into boisterous events packed with crowds of cheering and jeering activists. — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Matt Lucas and Marina Prior’s Thénardiers are boisterous and charming — more amiable sleazes than menacing scumbags, if that tracks. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 July 2026