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loud

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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
The big climactic set piece is somehow both maddeningly ambiguous and head-smackingly obvious, a maximalist attempt at making a statement that talks loud and says nothing. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2025 Many of the racist, nativist vulgarities spoken out loud in Paul Thomas Anderson’s marvelous new film One Battle After Another evoke sentiments that, in our world, first fomented online. Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2025
Adverb
Player safety has been another loud talking point in the debate over the tush push. Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025 Due to the lack of winning, the push for a quarterback change has been very loud. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for loud
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loud
Adjective
  • That was the sound of Blackwell’s game-deciding block, followed by the deafening final eruption from the stands of Allegiant Stadium.
    Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • And now that Survivor 50 has already been cast and filmed, that drumbeat is almost deafening.
    Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Even standard news programming is as noisy and disjointed as the output of a Bloomberg terminal.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Murray & His Blood Brothers, a blues-rock outfit comprised of singers and guitarists Mike Zito, Albert Castiglia and Jimmy Vivino, delivered a night of raucous, noisy blues and covers to the historic 2,360-person venue.
    Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
Adverb
  • Ghost City Tours said Ryman's spirit would stomp around the room so loudly that spectators would be forced to leave.
    Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025
  • If the motor hums loudly or constantly, check whether the ductwork is damaged.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But the first five innings Tuesday were a ringing endorsement for the Dodgers’ cautious approach to Ohtani’s rehab and return from a second Tommy John surgery.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Bravo to Netflix for their ringing endorsement of biodiversity with its commitment to purchase Funga’s carbon credits.
    Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Adverb
  • With the air choked by chemicals and ash, the sunsets were flamboyantly intense.
    Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
  • O’Brien’s dual roles as both flamboyantly gay charm bomb Rocky — who is flattened in a car accident early in the film — and the grieving and straight Roman comprise a career-topping performance.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The 89-year-old child psychologist transformed a corner of the conservative movement into a roaring political force that shaped the national conversation and became the de facto base of the modern Republican Party that embraced performative piety as a precondition for viability.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Aug. 2025
  • This familiarity with the Wyoming wilderness perhaps explains why the game feels so authentic: Its roaring orange sunsets, powder-blue skies, lush green pines, and trickling turquoise waters.
    Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 9 July 2025
Adverb
  • The characters are bright, marionette-like caricatures whom the author constructs and moves ostentatiously in full view of the reader, revealing his artistic devices with a sense of absurd, mischievous humor.
    Nelly Klos September 29, Literary Hub, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Given that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex ostentatiously dropped nearly all their public commitments when moved to California in 2021, this seems to represent a turnaround.
    Alexander Larman, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • As the routine twirled to a close, Olivia ran back, embracing her older brother to thunderous applause.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
  • On first down, wide receiver Justice Moody had a thunderous block, allowing Moore to get the edge and go 80 yards to the end zone.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Loud.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loud. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.

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