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
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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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Obama and Robinson's interview with the outspoken comedian was released on May 6.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Industry versus lifestyle Monday’s meeting drew a mix of outspoken residents presenting concerns about data centers’ direct impact on their rural communities, and commercial leaders portraying the data center economy as an essential growth opportunity for Jackson County’s economy.—
Ilana Arougheti
June 1,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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In others, the rebellious teenager drinks elsewhere.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
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For a distillery known as much for its rebellious personality as its whisky, bringing back a bottle called Yellow Submarine feels pretty on-brand.—
Emily Price,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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This is an album in which harsh, scraping sounds make sweet vocal melodies sound even sweeter, where that kindness of spirit may flicker but never quite fades away.—
Sadie Sartini Garner,
Pitchfork,
1 June 2026
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Behind the scenes, Ariana used Wicked to improve herself as a performer overall, taking on extensive vocal training for the role with those skills evident in her work post-Glinda.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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But beyond this picturesque scene, there is a volatile combination of brutal rebel violence and a burgeoning Ebola outbreak.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
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Attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group allied with the Islamic State group, and a coalition of ethnic militias also have hindered the response.—
Mark Banchereau,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Once inside, any sense of peace dissipates in the vociferous shouts from the local crowd, who create a hostile environment for any foreign player.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
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The emblematic events of the 1960s—demands to end the Vietnam War, equally vociferous demands for racial equity, a growing embrace among the young of their power as agents of change—often originated or found dramatic (even traumatic) expression on campus.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The great-grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic struck a defiant tone in an interview with CNN on Thursday, saying Iran shouldn’t compromise on its demands to end the war.—
Frederik Pleitgen,
CNN Money,
5 June 2026
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The candidate, wearing Nikes and a suit but no tie — not too buttoned up — struck a defiant tone.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Given the movie’s blatant satire of recent horror movies, it’s expected to do well beyond just English-speaking including Germany and Latin America.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
3 June 2026
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Congress, having discovered some spine, should revolt at this blatant self-dealing as well.—
Austin Elias-de Jesus,
New Yorker,
3 June 2026
Adjective
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Grab a melamine sponge and get rid of stubborn bathtub stains in a jiffy.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
1 June 2026
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If the Avs remain stubborn and play a style that suits their stars in the regular season, MacKinnon might win another title, but will be at the end of his career with another team.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obstreperous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obstreperous. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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