Definition of loudnext

loud

2 of 2

adverb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective loud contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of loud are earsplitting, raucous, stentorian, and strident. While all these words mean "marked by intensity or volume of sound," loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

When can earsplitting be used instead of loud?

In some situations, the words earsplitting and loud are roughly equivalent. However, earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

When is it sensible to use raucous instead of loud?

The synonyms raucous and loud are sometimes interchangeable, but raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

In what contexts can stentorian take the place of loud?

The meanings of stentorian and loud largely overlap; however, stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

Where would strident be a reasonable alternative to loud?

Although the words strident and loud have much in common, strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

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 loud
Adjective
Arrowhead is in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the loudest. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 22 July 2026 One small but loud faction on Labour’s left was the Militant Tendency, a highly disciplined group that took its name from the socialist newspaper around which its members gathered. James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Adverb
Seriously, this salmon goes with just about any side; these fingerling potatoes from chef Suzanne Goin keep the meal fresh and light, with ingredients speaking loud and clear for themselves. Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026 Gen Z heard the campaign loud and clear. Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • Heavy raindrops flew sideways, smacking against the hood of my rain jacket and creating a nearly deafening white noise.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
  • Each time the Swiss team scored, a deafening roar cut through the thick tropical air.
    Rob Schmitz, NPR, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • The noisy, chaotic sound of her 2019 release helped set the stage for Carti’s Whole Lotta Red, which brought rage to the mainstream and pushed rap at large toward more aggressive sounds in the 2020s.
    Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
  • According to Gruber, this is similar to humans talking in a crowded and noisy nightclub or bar.
    Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 July 2026
Adverb
  • On Thursday morning, fat bees perched on black-and-blue sage flowers, and doves loudly fluttered from fruit tree to fruit tree.
    Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2026
  • Advertisement One of the film’s comedic bits is your character and Jake Johnson’s character playing against a team in which both players grunt loudly on the court.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 23 July 2026
Adjective
  • The murder mystery has so far flown under the radar, despite having Emmy winner Tatiana Maslany as the lead, but just received a ringing endorsement from author extraordinaire Stephen King.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 25 June 2026
  • About a dozen other Republican backers of the Iran war either declined or did not respond to requests for interviews or comment—hardly a ringing endorsement of their president’s negotiating prowess.
    Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Adverb
  • Sister Daphne belongs to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ+ group made up mostly of people who dress flamboyantly as nuns.
    ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • The experience of the drink is composed, elegant even, a sophisticated push and pull subtlety and counterbalance, but the list of ingredients reads, to me, to be almost flamboyantly random.
    Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • Rudy Gobert and a roaring, black-out playoff crowd towered over him.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Cornwall’s ‘roaring future’ If the world is ever to get close to net zero, lithium will be at the centre of it, said The Times.
    Will Barker, TheWeek, 19 Feb. 2026
Adverb
  • Bryan Fuller’s expressionistic procedural is ostentatiously gruesome, yes, but the increasingly disturbing interplay between Will and Hannibal — cat and mouse, will-they/won’t they — is a full course meal on its own.
    Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In her closet were seven Ungaros, three Rykiels, a Kamali bathing suit and a Kamali sleeping-bag coat, five Kenzo dresses, two pieces from the Ballets Russes collection of Saint Laurent—all of which were trades or payments in kind, none of them mothballed, but instead worn ostentatiously and often.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Around two in the morning, Machado stepped onto the balcony to thunderous applause.
    Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Abby Wambach breaks a tense tie with a thunderous header in the 79th minute, and the United States earns its first trip to the Women’s World Cup final since winning it in 1999 with a 3-1 victory over France.
    Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

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