loud 1 of 2

loud

2 of 2

adverb

Try This Instead

For
Try This
a loud voice
a high-volume voice
an outspoken voice
a thunderous voice
a raucous voice
a strong voice
loud applause
booming applause
huge applause
rowdy applause
abundant applause
noisy applause
a loud whisper
an aggressive whisper
an intense whisper
an exaggerated whisper
a strong whisper
a heavy whisper
a loud thud
a violent thud
a massive thud
a sharp thud
an audible thud
an enormous thud
loud noise
high-volume noise
excessive noise
big noise
annoying noise

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
The protests were loud, the slogans blunt, and the politics tense. Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 This stone and glass shade is breathtakingly beautiful without being too loud or funky. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 20 June 2025 This record is a gentle correction for listeners who think of blues as either dusty or loud. Philip Martin, Arkansas Online, 19 June 2025 Ethical Efficiency insists that systems be designed to truly find and elevate the best solutions, not simply reward the loudest voices or most privileged perspectives. Karlo Tanjuakio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • Yet given the league and many of its most prominent players' presence in social justice efforts, their silence around the violence being fueled by Rwanda and the UAE is all the more deafening.
    Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • That visual message was audibly reinforced at a deafening level as the crowd cheered their neighbors who spoke against the proposal and booed a NIPSCO official and other business leaders who spoke in favor of it.
    Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • If co-workers are noisy, ask for sound-cancelling headphones or a seating change.
    Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 28 June 2025
  • In a lively first-half played in front of a noisy crowd of 54,619, Chelsea were denied a penalty when Enzo Fernandez went down in the box after turning past Gerson, while at the other end Levi Colwill headed the ball off the line from a free kick.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Although it can be characterized by a ringing, pulsing, buzzing, hissing or squealing sound, audiologists say the source of the condition lies in the brain's neural networks.
    Adrianna Rodriguez, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
  • But with a will Strike all your harps and set them ringing; On hill and heath Let every breath Throw all its power into singing!
    Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Even some famous non-country artists will be making their Stagecoach debut like Lana Del Rey, T-Pain (who had a roaring Coachella set the weeks before), and the Backstreet Boys.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Tinnitus is when someone hears ringing in the ears—or a buzzing or roaring sound.
    Carley Millhone, Health, 20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • For nearly a century, the thunderous roar of Ducati engines has echoed across the globe's most hallowed race tracks.
    Shelby Knick, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • After each motion was approved came thunderous applause from the very purple audience.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loud

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!