Definition of obstreperousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word obstreperous different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obstreperous are blatant, boisterous, clamorous, strident, and vociferous. While all these words mean "so loud or insistent as to compel attention," obstreperous suggests unruly and aggressive noisiness and resistance to restraint.

the obstreperous demonstrators were arrested

Where would blatant be a reasonable alternative to obstreperous?

The words blatant and obstreperous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, blatant implies an offensive bellowing or insensitive loudness.

blatant rock music
a blatant clamor for impeachment

When can boisterous be used instead of obstreperous?

The words boisterous and obstreperous can be used in similar contexts, but boisterous suggests a noisiness and turbulence due to high spirits.

a boisterous crowd of party goers

When is clamorous a more appropriate choice than obstreperous?

The meanings of clamorous and obstreperous largely overlap; however, clamorous may imply insistency as well as vociferousness in demanding or protesting.

clamorous demands for prison reforms

When might strident be a better fit than obstreperous?

In some situations, the words strident and obstreperous are roughly equivalent. However, strident suggests harsh and discordant noise.

heard the strident cry of the crow

In what contexts can vociferous take the place of obstreperous?

The synonyms vociferous and obstreperous are sometimes interchangeable, but vociferous implies a vehement shouting or calling out.

vociferous cries of protest and outrage

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 obstreperous And when intelligence confirms that one of their vessels is engaged in armed smuggling operations, the president need not convene an obstreperous congressional committee before acting in such a manner to defend the American people. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025 All at once, Vance had made an obstreperous return to the center of the national stage—and so did the memes. Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 19 Mar. 2025 In some ways, Paul has been less obstreperous than them. Eric Cortellessa, TIME, 18 Mar. 2025 In those days, even small neighborhood theaters employed uniformed ushers to guide latecomers to their seats with a flashlight, patrol the aisles, and handle obstreperous customers. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for obstreperous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obstreperous
Adjective
  • Leo, who has become an outspoken critic of the Iran war, also said attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law.
    Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Colorado’s outspoken coach, former NFL star Deion Sanders, told reporters his team will honor Ponder by wearing a patch on their uniforms during the upcoming football season.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • On June 15, 1215, rebellious nobles compelled King John of England to sign the Magna Carta.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The 8-episode first season charts the improbable ascent of Joe and Rose Kennedy and their nine children, including rebellious second son Jack, who struggles to escape the shadow of his golden boy older brother.
    Denise Petski, Deadline, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Ben Steinberg, a 26-year-old film student at Cal State Northridge, has long been a vocal and active proponent of reopening Hollywood’s Cinerama Dome, which has been closed since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
    Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
  • Some were axed immediately; others were rewritten and re-recorded, keeping Oli’s voice pure, stripped of the vocal doubling that had been his signature on previous records.
    Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • In a message Monday on X, Sánchez said that so far there were no signs indicating that the plane was attacked by rebel groups that operate near Puerto Leguizamo.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Petro, a leftist who was a member of a rebel group in his youth, has attempted to stage peace talks with Colombia’s remaining rebel groups under a strategy known as total peace.
    Manuel Rueda, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • These will prompt the most vociferous and pointed outcry.
    Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
  • The denials were only more vociferous at the idea of using them off-label for someone like Mundo.
    Eric Boodman, STAT, 23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Your 11th House of Hopefulness hosts Mars, which is presently sextiling defiant Uranus in your determined sign.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • But these defiant drag houses offered safety, acceptance and glamour which were celebrated in these urban spaces.
    Frank Rizzo, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The exploitation of the American people and the blatant disregard for our well-being has reached unprecedented levels.
    Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Illinois and Chicago are high-tax, big-promise blue strongholds with long, tawdry histories of waste, fraud, patronage, insider deals and blatant corruption.
    Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Data readiness, security, integrations, workflow redesign, and building human skills remain stubborn bottlenecks for true AI implementation.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Michigan made only two three-pointers all night but still muscled its way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn Connecticut.
    Senior Editor, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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