Synonyms of cacophonous

cacophonous

adjective

ka-ˈkä-fə-nəs 

as in shrill

marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds

the cacophonous chaos on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shrill
• dissonant
• noisy
• unpleasant
• unmusical
• inharmonious
• metallic
• discordant
• unmelodious
• raucous
• strident
• unpleasing
• harsh
• jarring
• clashing
• blaring
• squeaky
• unvocal
• atonal
• raspy
• screeching
• scratching
• disagreeable
• tuneless
• clattering
• grating
• clangorous
• sonorous
• jangly
• clanging
• jangling
• clamorous
• uproarious
• off-key
• resounding
• dinning

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• musical
• harmonious
• melodious
• melodic
• tuneful
• sweet
• resonant
• sonorous
• mellifluous
• euphonious
• mellow
• dulcet
• harmonizing
• pleasant
• rhythmic
• agreeable
• appealing
• lyrical
• harmonic
• symphonic
• orchestral
• tonal
• lilting
• lyric
• mellifluent
• silent
• polyphonic
• trilling
• warbling
• calm
• quiet
• hushed
• homophonic
• chordal
• quavering
• soundless
• cadenced
• noiseless
• still
• symphonious

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of cacophonous

In the black and Carrara marble lobby, the vibe is modern and futuristic, with a cacophonous waterfall tumbling down the walls in a stream of fluorescent colors and a lone scarlet grand piano bringing a pleasing pop of color. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026

Tuesday evening’s event didn’t devolve into the chaos of a cacophonous debate last week but was far livelier than a relatively sleepy one last month. — Ben Paviour may 6, Sacbee.com, 6 May 2026

Yet a cacophonous encore is now playing across the South after a Supreme Court ruling last week. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 5 May 2026

Fabric And Texture Color and pattern aren’t the only visual aspects that can stand between a cohesive look and one that seems like a cacophonous scene. — Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026