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
Reservations are essential even at restaurants that aren't on TikTok; yes, you can be kicked out of a VIP section; and even at an afterparty, there are limits to how loud the music can go. Chloe Sachdev, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Aug. 2026 The psychologist testified that that would depend on how loud the auditory hallucinations sounded to the individual. Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026
Adverb
Yet Navratilova was not wrong to speak out loud the growing controversy involving transgender athletes, just as Cunningham is not wrong to say it now. Greg Cote august 3, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Just walk around and talk out loud and sort of feel it, feel Valerie a little bit. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • Before the researchers could start sampling it, though, a deafening roar suddenly filled the tunnel.
    James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Dixon said other issues to be considered are the deafening roar of traffic passing under the footbridge on I-91 and how to soften it.
    Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 26 July 2026
Adjective
  • The longest track on the album at more than eight minutes, it’s built around a relentless two-note bass line and dangerously cowbell-adjacent percussion and features a whirlwind of samples and sweetly noisy meltdowns.
    Reed Jackson, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026
  • For tummy time, little ones can enjoy the bright mat, noisy maracas and activity toys.
    BestReviews, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • The professional explorers spent a year living inside the Boundary Waters, using their platform to speak loudly for its protection.
    Erin Hassanzadeh, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Odds of getting shares were worse than one in five thousand, which explains pretty loudly why the stock popped so much on launch.
    John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The ringing endorsement reinforces Nvidia’s dominance in AI infrastructure even as some big tech companies roll out their own custom chips.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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
  • He also, unfortunately, ceded possession to PSG’s counter-press, contributing to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s thunderous strike taking the lead.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • No rain or lightning came, but a thunderous voice boomed throughout the field as the defensive backs competed in drills.
    Latif Love August 7, Kansas City Star, 7 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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