1
as in outspoken
engaging in or marked by loud and insistent cries especially of protest
an obstreperous crowd protesting the government's immigration policy
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
the club's president was at his wits' end with obstreperous members who refused to cooperate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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
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
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Glenn is an outspoken mental health and LGBTQ+ advocate.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Readers will remember Carano from being fired from The Mandalorian after her outspoken conservative views ruffled feathers on social media.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The brand cultivates a fun, rebellious, and inclusive culture.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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Your 11th House of Friendship hosts Venus, who squares rebellious Uranus in your 2nd House of Resources, pushing group plans against changing costs.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Nor were the four years the FBI operated under Biden the best years of the agency’s life, as the FBI was used to go after political conservatives, conservative groups, as a well as vocal protesters at school committee meetings questioning COVID regulations.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
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Conservative critics have become increasingly vocal against the fields in recent years, but ethnic and gender studies are not new fields.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Tutu, the new documentary from Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI, 4 Little Girls), is a behind-the-scenes look at the life of the smiling, joyous rebel clergyman who helped end Apartheid.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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But Koch wasn’t Ogden’s only rebel influence.—
Bill Donahue,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Pappas has been one of the most vociferous critics of Tyler Technologies, the company that has been in charge of the rocky upgrade of the county’s property tax system, for more than a decade.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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The discontent was more widespread, more vociferous and more insulting this time.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In those early days, Zelensky’s uncanny capacity for survival and humor encapsulated the defiant mood of the country.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
20 Feb. 2026
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As the last survivor of the Block 42 resisters, Tanimoto has kept awareness of that complicated, defiant chapter of Japanese American history alive by sharing his story, including at a Day of Remembrance event taking place at noon Saturday at the Sutter County Museum in Yuba City.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The move revived memories of blatant tampering with inflation statistics by past populist governments, rattling investor confidence and public trust.—
Isabel Debre,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
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The other was Wilt’s, a blatant recruiting violation from KU.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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One person refuses to bow — not an army, not a revolution, one stubborn Jew minding his own business — and Haman cannot function.—
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Feb. 2026
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Scrub gently with a soft sponge or brush, focusing on stubborn areas.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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