cacophony

noun

ka-ˈkä-fə-nē How to pronounce cacophony (audio)
Definition of cacophonynext
as in noise
loud, confused, and usually inharmonious sound the cacophony of a pet store full of animals

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cacophony On the side of the highway, the night is a cacophony of blaring horns and the shouts of drunken men. — ABC News, 23 July 2026 Somewhere in the heated mist hovered the howls of Albert Ayler and the clarion call of his brother Donald’s trumpet, followed by the Ornette Coleman Quartet, saluting him with joyous cacophony. — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026 And the noise that this is making is something that is a cacophony of the world enraptured. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026 Inside, a lively party plays out — a cacophony of voices, skin, shimmer, bottles, joy and hormones on repeat. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cacophony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cacophony
  1. noise
  2. roar
  3. rattle
  4. chatter
Noun
  • That study did not analyze the noise that would be made when officers are at the site outside of business hours.
    — Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The taxis carry four passengers, reach speeds of up to 150 mph and produce far less noise and zero operating emissions compared with traditional helicopters.
    — Mike Barnes for The Hollywood Reporter, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of noise
Noun
  • If the come-from-behind victory and the roar of more than 45,000 fans on Saturday afternoon were any indication, Anderson’s arrival could portend great things is Seattle for the rest of this season, and for many more to come.
    — Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The absurdities and tragedies of daily life in dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu’s Romania roar from the page in Oana Aristide’s irresistible debut.
    — Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of roar
Noun
  • It’s easily activated by touching the colored sections or spinning the rattle drum and features three modes, including animals, colors and xylophone.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • As for the Speed, the museum returned three ceremonial objects (a rattle, a beaded pipe bag, and a beaded turtle amulet) and 21 other items, among them beaded pouches and bags, moccasins, a coup stick, a cradleboard, and a lance.
    — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of rattle
Noun
  • That was Gardner’s first game with the Colts after being acquired from the New York Jets, and while Indy pulled out the OT victory, Gardner was still annoyed by some of the social media chatter afterward.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • For all the chatter about the Georgia wide receiver position this month, Kirby Smart notes that success for that group can’t be self-made.
    — Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of chatter

Browse Nearby Words

cacophonous
cacophony
cad
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Cite this Entry

“Cacophony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cacophony. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cacophony

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cacophony

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