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
This is where the loudest Barca fans gather before every game. Pol Ballús, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi arrived off a Cannes run that ended with the directing prize, and the Telluride word-of-mouth only got louder. Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Adverb
Every court now wrestling with preemption is really wrestling with that silence, and silence, at this volume, is a decision someone will eventually have to make out loud. Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026 So wait, that means all these people are talking out loud to their computers next to their co-workers? Emily Forlini, Fortune, 4 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
  • Jay Carney and Judy Keen, in the pool for Time and USA Today, respectively, were making a noisy case to fly back on Air Force One too.
    Sonya Ross For The Atlanta Journal-Contitution, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Look for the human touch – the mentions of noisy ice machines, broken elevators, or terrible service.
    Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Adverb
  • When Volpe walked to the plate for his first at-bat, the crowd applauded loudly.
    Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The Overton window, for some reason, is more open than ever on the AI apocalypse narrative—and the wisdom of crowds is speaking loudly.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Martha-Mary Chapel, Sudbury Reverend Bryce (Toby Huss) presides over the town church, where mysterious ringing bells seem to indicate something dark is afoot.
    Nicholas DeRenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The quote sounded more like a statement of facts than a ringing endorsement.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 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
  • Konsa got the better of his former Villa team-mate with a thunderous sliding tackle in the second half, but Rogers always forces opposition defences to react.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The set list spans her 14-year career, with even the most pop-forward selections filtered through thunderous percussion and earsplitting guitars.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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