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
Yeah, they were about booed out of the ballpark, with the loudest jeers saved for Yankees slugger Ben Rice. CBS News, 14 July 2026 Fans chasing atmosphere can weigh the perks of upgrading, whether that means a club level, a standing-room social area or a section known for being the loudest in the building. Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 14 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
  • Each time the Swiss team scored, a deafening roar cut through the thick tropical air.
    Rob Schmitz, NPR, 24 June 2026
  • The bear was almost on top of us when, with a deafening roar, the shot from both barrels smacked into that enormous shaggy head.
    Anton Money, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • These days, noisy, drunk, barely dressed visitors holiday hard in condos that have been converted into vacation rentals.
    Linda Robertson, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • An hour before The Breakaway goes live, the production crew forms a human shield across a noisy central London street so presenter Orla Chennaoui can record her opening link uninterrupted.
    Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 15 July 2026
Adverb
  • On the opposite side of the ball, he could be heard barking orders out during pick-and-roll situations, loudly letting teammates know where the ball-handler was headed.
    Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
  • This isn’t a case of one person speaking a little too loudly.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 16 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
  • 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
  • And Cayden Alley is endearing and playful as Damian, the school’s most flamboyantly gay student.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 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
  • 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
  • Paris Barraza The thunderous sound of fireworks drowned the roar of the thousands of people marking America's 250th birthday at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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