loud 1 of 2

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

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
Padres starter Randy Vásquez fell one out shy of his third quality start of the season, walking off the field to a loud ovation after allowing one run in 5⅔ innings. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026 The oil will be popping, the music will be loud and somewhere in the crowd, a stranger’s plate might taste like home. Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Adverb
The implant can interpret his brain signals into text, which can then be spoken out loud by a computer program. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026 My brother’s life shouldn’t depend on how loud we’re forced to shout. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • Records say the sound created a deafening roar across Copenhagen.
    CBS News, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The incessant sales pitches are buffeted by the usual deafening pounding music, which makes Vin Scully Avenue seem like Las Vegas Boulevard.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Both teachers stood with their classes last week during the noisy Thursday pep rally, smiling through most of the ceremony.
    Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Sennheiser Noise-Canceling Headphones Deal The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones are the ultimate delete button for a noisy world.
    Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
  • The protesters were using a bullhorn and yelling loudly, disrupting services, authorities said.
    Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
  • Slim Shady, her roughly 70-pound, 22-year-old sulcata tortoise, farts loudly, sometimes knocks her down and has forced her to find him after absconding in her North Highlands neighborhood when her front gate was left open.
    Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 4 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Hana liked it enough to take some home, which in the Test Kitchen is a ringing endorsement!
    Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
  • At the moment, Breslow has its ringing endorsement.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2026
Adverb
  • The staging of their wedding on Monday is immediately juxtaposed with the deaths of Mercutio (played flamboyantly, and with a penchant for mooning, by Kasper Hilton-Hille) and Tybalt (Aruna Jalloh).
    Ellise Shafer, Variety, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Across medieval Europe, aristocrats repeatedly set off fashion fads and scandals by wearing poulaines, shoes whose flamboyantly elongated pointed toes could stretch far beyond the natural length of their feet.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Playing an aristocratic roaring 20s era sleuth that Christie loosely based on her younger self is certainly far removed from chugging shots on the shores of Malia — even the party scenes.
    Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
  • 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
  • Spielberg worked within the system, Coppola spent lavishly and even ostentatiously to build his own studio and Lucas found his independence through a quieter, more conservative and technology-driven route.
    Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This was followed by the thunderous launch of the Artemis II rocket to the moon.
    Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Even with the hefty bass, the speaker avoids getting overly thunderous during the climax of the tune, though.
    Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.

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