Definition of garrulousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word garrulous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of garrulous are loquacious, talkative, and voluble. While all these words mean "given to talk or talking," garrulous implies prosy, rambling, or tedious loquacity.

garrulous traveling companions

When is loquacious a more appropriate choice than garrulous?

The synonyms loquacious and garrulous are sometimes interchangeable, but loquacious suggests the power of expressing oneself articulately, fluently, or glibly.

a loquacious spokesperson

When can talkative be used instead of garrulous?

While the synonyms talkative and garrulous are close in meaning, talkative may imply a readiness to engage in talk or a disposition to enjoy conversation.

a talkative neighbor

When might voluble be a better fit than garrulous?

Although the words voluble and garrulous have much in common, voluble suggests a free, easy, and unending loquacity.

a voluble raconteur

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 garrulous Yet while the family, in all its whirling, garrulous energy, appears outwardly welcoming to the newcomer, Marina soon encounters limits to their acceptance. Guy Lodge, Variety, 21 May 2025 And yet, there is no place Bret, the more garrulous of the two brothers and host of the Bret Boone Podcast, would rather be (Bret and Aaron also have a younger brother, Matthew, who played minor-league baseball). Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 20 May 2025 Affleck, of course, has always been a more garrulous, charismatic screen presence. Jake Coyle, Twin Cities, 24 Apr. 2025 So his warm, garrulous letters to her must have been hugely flattering, as if a reporter today received a string of confiding e-mails from Bruce Springsteen. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for garrulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for garrulous
Adjective
  • In court, Tillman was upbeat and talkative with his federal public defender, Varell Fuller, prior to making his guilty plea.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Loud, funny and talkative, The Big Bopper merged radio and rock stardom and became a larger-than-life entity with a true theatrical presence.
    Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Routh then read from a rambling, 20-page statement.
    David Fischer, Sun Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Also in the village, with lower prices, the June Lake Villager Motel is a rambling property beneath a vintage mid-century sign.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • The issue usually isn’t cortisol itself, but a rhythm that’s mistimed, exaggerated, or slow to settle.
    Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2026
  • An exaggerated period heel adds flair.
    Emma Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In 1949, a young American artist named Ray Johnson left Black Mountain College near Asheville, N.C., moved to New York City and began to explore his prolix talents, both visual and verbal.
    Roberta Smith, New York Times, 30 May 2024
  • His answer is this book: a laudably sincere, exasperatingly prolix and occasionally affecting rumination on the state of Egypt—its society, culture, history and politics—pegged to the maddening bureaucracy of the archive.
    Kapil Komireddi, WSJ, 12 Mar. 2023

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Cite this Entry

“Garrulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/garrulous. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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