loud 1 of 2

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
The onset of mating season this spring has escalated tensions, with the males’ loud early morning mating calls particularly aggravating residents. Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 14 May 2026 But there were no loud gasps or terrified screams during the screening. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 14 May 2026
Adverb
Our main purpose is to make those voices loud. Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026 With the moon in your sign, emotions are heightened, and external pressures feel extra loud. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • The stirring of the home supporters by Rowe, however, made the sound of silence more deafening in the final minute.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Records say the sound created a deafening roar across Copenhagen.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Around 5,000 people reside in the town, give or take the shifting sub-population of soldiers from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces who ship in and out for noisy munitions drills in the mountains nearby.
    Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
  • Poor-quality headphones that skimp on noise cancellation, battery life, or comfortability can quickly turn a noisy flight into an absolute nightmare.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2026
Adverb
  • The building doesn’t announce itself loudly.
    Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026
  • Once booed so loudly, his wife Natalie struggled to attend his games.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
  • At the moment, Breslow has its ringing endorsement.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • Egerton, by contrast, gets to grandstand a bit more flamboyantly.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Across medieval Europe, aristocrats repeatedly set off fashion fads and scandals by wearing poulaines, shoes whose flamboyantly elongated pointed toes could stretch far beyond the natural length of their feet.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Highlights there included The Bear actor Matty Matheson’s hardcore outfit Pigpen, which saw the Canadian chef/singer eschew his comical persona for a restless and roaring performance; and L.A.’s Health, whose industrial-tinged metal was both ethereal and clamorous.
    Lina Lecaro, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Rudy Gobert and a roaring, black-out playoff crowd towered over him.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 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
  • Alex Caruso completed that surge with a thunderous dunk and the lead grew to 27 points before the game was over.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 10 May 2026
  • The night, hosted by Kirsty Young, who had already hosted the legend’s 90th birthday celebration event, opened with a thunderous standing ovation for Attenborough who waved at the crowd before sitting down next to Prince William.
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

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