hullabaloo

noun

ˈhə-lə-bə-ˌlü How to pronounce hullabaloo (audio)
Definition of hullabaloonext
1
as in commotion
a state of noisy, confused activity there was a lot of needless hullabaloo as the new millennium approached

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in noise
a violent shouting there was such a hullabaloo in the room that he couldn't hear himself think

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 hullabaloo For some actors, the process of choosing their next film can take weeks—calls with anxious casting agents, scheduling hullabaloos, script mishaps. — Kenneal Patterson, Vanity Fair, 5 May 2026 In New York, Idewild changed to JFK — no protests, no hullabaloo. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 All the hullabaloo in airports, including massive delays and TSA employees going without pay, doesn’t have an immediate end in sight. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2026 The hullabaloo fed the online churn of commentary for days, and was also addressed by Oscars host Conan O’Brien in his opening monologue. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hullabaloo
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hullabaloo
  1. commotion
  2. noise
  3. fuss
  4. roar
  5. disturbance
  6. howl
  7. stir
  8. turmoil
Noun
  • Delhi Police said Wangchuk was taken to hospital after his health worsened during the hunger strike, and that a brief commotion occurred when some protesters tried to block the move.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The commotion was so loud that Netanyahu left the chamber, sitting out the vote entirely.
    — Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of commotion
Noun
  • But, beyond the noise, is there a short-term, collective crypto community goal rooted in the Congressional process?
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • On the stage barge, seven naked performers climbed on the crane, and a noise band assembled at the bow.
    — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of noise
Noun
  • Our national instincts are for biting our lip and not causing a fuss.
    — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron This is what all that Lebron to Miami fuss is about on social media, right?
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Definition of fuss
Noun
  • Lamine Yamal’s young brother earned a roar from the crowd when he was shown on the big screen with his parents.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 20 July 2026
  • All this in a large, transparent cube, its sliding door almost, but not quite, dimming the roar of the crowd outside.
    — Ryan P. C. Trimble, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of roar
Noun
  • The untethered AUVs hover above the seabed instead of dragging equipment across it, reducing sediment disturbance and limiting ecosystem disruption.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 July 2026
  • The Saharan Air Layer can suppress thunderstorm development and increase atmospheric stability across parts of the tropical Atlantic, temporarily reducing the odds that disturbances develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.
    — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 14 July 2026
Definition of disturbance
Noun
  • Her Valley girl howl will stop you in your tracks, proclaiming friendship, revolution, and, yeah, lust.
    — Debby Wolfinsohn, Entertainment Weekly, 7 July 2026
  • Things that made your red-eyed soul sing and howl are few and far between.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 July 2026
Definition of howl
Noun
  • The interview caused a stir at the time and, inevitably, led to all sorts of comments about a monosyllabic footballer.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 14 July 2026
  • Lasser also famously caused a stir among the Saturday Night Live cast near the end of season 1, and was married to Woody Allen from 1966-1970.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 8 July 2026
Definition of stir
Noun
  • The weaker economic data is a sign that sluggish consumption at home is outweighing recent strength in Chinese exports, and the nation is not immune from the economic turmoil caused by the war in Iran.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of turmoil

Browse Nearby Words

hull
hullabaloo
hullabaloos
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hullabaloo.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hullabaloo. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on hullabaloo

Nglish: Translation of hullabaloo for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dog days

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
child-detective
Spot the Misspelled Word July 2026 Those little red underlines can't help you now...
See All