Synonyms of boorish

boorish

adjective

ˈbu̇r-ish 

as in loutish

having or showing crudely insensitive or impolite manners

boorish behavior, such as yelling for service in restaurants

Synonyms & Similar Words

• loutish
• uncouth
• classless
• churlish
• clownish
• stupid
• cloddish
• vulgar
• rude
• unsophisticated
• awkward
• unpolished
• coarse
• oafish
• tasteless
• discourteous
• doltish
• unrefined
• uncultivated
• ill-bred
• ungracious
• bestial
• impolite
• beastly
• unmannerly
• uncivil
• mannerless
• ungainly
• misleared

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• sophisticated
• polished
• cultivated
• refined
• genteel
• gentlemanly
• classy
• well-bred
• courtly
• ladylike
• civil
• polite
• couth
• courteous

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

Recent Examples of boorish

The doc goes on to note that, along with boorish audiences, record labels were also wary of Culture Club, even though their aesthetic was very much in the early Eighties new wave and pop mold. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2026

In New York, an inspiring young leftist competed against a boorish, but experienced, former governor to replace a corrupt mayor. — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 31 May 2026

Trump’s boorish behavior gives his tone-deaf followers license to behave the same way. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 May 2026

There is precedent for TV personalities having to answer for boorish comments made on social media and on television. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026