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
Exactly 60 years after Williams’ induction speech on the steps of the Hall of Fame, Baker walked into the Hall and was greeted by the loud roars of another Boston Red Sox legend, David Ortiz. Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 2026 His concussion symptoms include fatigue and sensitivity to sound, including loud music at practice and multiple voices in a room. Cam Inman, Mercury News, 28 July 2026
Adverb
The names of each victim was read out loud as people in the audience stood in silence, wiping their tears and embracing each other. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • As work proceeds, plumes of sand have clouded waters near endangered coral and conchs while noisy excavators drown out waves along the popular beach next to Port Everglades.
    Jenny Staletovich, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
  • Sitting next to Martin Scorsese and the designer Marc Jacobs on the album cover is the group’s multi-instrumentalist John Cale, rock’s god of noisy, dignified experimentation.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
Adverb
  • But everyone will immediately notice all those new jersey patches for Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, Wisconsin and many more, especially when the Buckeyes are bringing in $17 million for theirs and the Irish are loudly earning up to $20 million.
    Jason Kirk, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • As well as being Reilly’s champion and big-brother figure, Tony Wilson was a legendary hater who loudly decried his prize artist’s singing voice, including in the liner notes of his own reissue of Vini Reilly.
    Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 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 2 Aug. 2026.

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