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
From there, Skandinavian means a loud courtyard and familiar summer hits. Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2026 Earlier this year, the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition opened with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions. ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Adverb
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 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 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 household surveys always noisy, but this is very, very large.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For three decades, in an increasingly noisy and stress-filled world, Miraval Arizona has embraced its philosophy of Life in Balance, pioneering the concept of transformative wellbeing through mindfulness.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Adverb
  • After the 911 audio concluded, a recess was called and she was wheeled from the room sobbing loudly.
    Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Or, for that matter, honest people who are just loudly watching drunk people fight each other on YouTube during the middle of their shift at a debt collection agency.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The quote sounded more like a statement of facts than a ringing endorsement.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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 30 Aug. 2026.

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