Definition of boorishnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective boorish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of boorish are churlish, clownish, and loutish. While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

When might churlish be a better fit than boorish?

While the synonyms churlish and boorish are close in meaning, churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

When is it sensible to use clownish instead of boorish?

In some situations, the words clownish and boorish are roughly equivalent. However, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

When could loutish be used to replace boorish?

The words loutish and boorish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

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 boorish In that film, McAdams is bawdily hilarious yet shockingly believable as a high school girl who finds her body being embodied by Schneider’s boorish thief. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 20 Jan. 2026 Indeed, their body language and working relationship belies nothing of the boorish, antagonistic dynamic between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio, whose enmity risked lives (as when Cuomo held up a mass Covid vaccine site in New York due to his beef with de Blasio). Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026 The Brits are wonderful people, and those accents can cover a wide array of boorish behaviors. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Dec. 2025 Kimmel, like Stephen Colbert, went from acting as boorish right-wing caricatures to playing themselves — that is, liberals who dislike Trump and support vaccines. David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for boorish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boorish
Adjective
  • The nation and the world have long since become accustomed to Trump’s loutish behavior, coarse vocabulary and disrespect for the dignity of his office and America’s reputation.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The four leads are overconfident and loutish, spending their time drinking, rambling, and clumsily working through their worries about the future.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Those songs both ended with squalls of noise, hinting at Bash’s interest in more uncouth arrangements.
    Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Trump's uncouth behavior barely rates a headline anymore, so frequent are the examples.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Some of the reaction to his death was also classless.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Communism, in its traditional definition, describes a system in which private property is abolished and the means of production are collectively owned, with the goal of creating a classless society.
    Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
  • But this churlish little spurt from his players?
    Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Most of that action is on the Democratic side and the sniping is getting downright churlish as we near the March 17 primary elections.
    Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Black characters that appeared on-screen closely resembled the clownish stereotypes popularized by the minstrels.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
  • The clownish dance is a Fortnite video game gesture, and involves making an L shape with fingers, pressing it to one’s forehead, then high kicking from side to side.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran — theyr’e not stupid.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 May 2026
  • That was celebrated by the lefties as liberation, or something stupid like that.
    Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026
Adjective
  • As Dan’s relationship with Kolkena progressed, Betty reportedly left vulgar and threatening messages on the couple’s answering machine, prompting Dan to threaten criminal contempt action, according to the Los Angeles Times.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 9 May 2026
  • But demeaning our brand through association with vulgar demagogues is a losing strategy.
    Alma Hernandez, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Boorish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boorish. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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