Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective loutish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of loutish are boorish, churlish, and clownish. While all these words mean "uncouth in manners or appearance," loutish implies bodily awkwardness together with stupidity.

a loutish oaf

When would boorish be a good substitute for loutish?

Although the words boorish and loutish have much in common, boorish implies rudeness of manner due to insensitiveness to others' feelings and unwillingness to be agreeable.

a drunk's boorish behavior

In what contexts can churlish take the place of loutish?

The words churlish and loutish can be used in similar contexts, but churlish suggests surliness, unresponsiveness, and ungraciousness.

churlish remarks

When could clownish be used to replace loutish?

The words clownish and loutish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, clownish suggests ill-bred awkwardness, ignorance or stupidity, ungainliness, and often a propensity for absurd antics.

an adolescent's clownish conduct

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 loutish Homer wasn’t fooling around: those who aid the beggar are rewarded, those who mistreat him—the loutish suitors who have long besieged Penelope—are killed. Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024 His loutish gimmick of the week is an obnoxious get-ready-with-me tutorial that the rest of his Chamber mates, unfortunately, can’t scroll past. Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024 Widowed waitress Yvette Yates Redick and misfit nine-year-old son Benjamin Steinhauser remain in mourning for the man of the house — a vacancy poorly filled by her loutish current boyfriend (Rob Mayes). Dennis Harvey, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 At one point Jan, distracted by Kasia’s upcoming sonogram, is being drilled by his loutish captain. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2023 See All Example Sentences for loutish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loutish
Adjective
  • Avoid boorish behavior People from many different cultures don’t seem to know how to travel, but Americans in particular have a reputation across the globe for being pushy and loud people.
    Jenny Peters, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • His boorish behavior was condemned by others silently and did not affect the solemnity of the ceremony.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Adjective
  • Photo : Boreham Motorworks Even at a cautious pace, this Ford Escort Mk1 continuation feels delightfully raw and uncouth.
    Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 28 May 2025
  • Salary dumps can feel uncouth, and Miller could have brought back a lottery-ticket prospect.
    The Athletic MLB Staff, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • In part, because there was something fascinating about the clownish way their once cutting-edge images no longer fit.
    IndieWire Staff, IndieWire, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Joining Proctor in court was Meatball Morrissey’s clownish prosecutor, Adam Lally.
    Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • No Broward program can possibly be as wasteful and downright stupid as the Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS).
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2025
  • This sounds very stupid, but there’s an idea in my mind.
    David Mack, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Advertisement Man City’s marketing arm at first fretted about Haaland’s reputation for giving churlish interviews.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 31 July 2025
  • The churlish comments appeared to have come from conservative activists, or from bots on social media that generate partisan messages, still chafing that Burrows ascended to the speaker's desk with the support of more Democratic House members than Republicans.
    John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Adjective
  • Private ownership is eliminated with the goal of all goods being equally shared in a classless society.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • For example, in Stalin’s communism, monism took the form of believing that the key is to establish a classless society — even if millions of people had to be killed to achieve that vision.
    Sigal Samuel, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018

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Cite this Entry

“Loutish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loutish. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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