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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 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
  • In her later years, she became known as an outspoken activist for animal rights and for voicing strong, controversial opinions — such as denouncing the #MeToo movement in 2018.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
  • As Hollywood has grown more outspoken in recent months about the situation in the Middle East, the challenges of convincing its distributors — the lifelines that can take movies from obscurity to national recognition — remain.
    Rebecca Keegan, NBC news, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2025
  • With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Beyond her work on KPop Demon Hunters, EJAE has also written, vocal-directed, and contributed background vocals for various major K-pop artists.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But as college sports enters yet another year of flirting with institutional funds of all sorts—conversations that have drawn vocal pushback from fans, administrators and trustees—I’ve begun to pay close attention to how those in power talk about these deals.
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.
    Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
  • The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.
    Danny Makki, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • That Maestro screening featured the vociferous participation of Leonard Bernstein’s surviving family members, as well as Cooper himself watching silently from the audience (the strike prevented him from doing more), a perfect companion to Cooper’s alternately reverent and over-the-top biopic.
    Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
  • The chants continued with four minutes left in the fourth quarter with Tulsa leading 19-12, and the vociferous crowd was heard on the ESPN broadcast.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • On Monday afternoon, Petro remained defiant.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
  • This Irish American neighborhood is famous for its quirky upside-down traffic light, where green proudly sits above red—a symbol of its defiant community spirit.
    Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • This is a blatant breach of international law and territorial integrity of Lithuania.
    Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2025
  • These youth protesters oppose the Ruto government over living standards, often blatant government corruption, and its heavy hand toward demonstrators.
    Ian Bremmer, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Month over month, that would be the same stubborn pace that has persisted for more than two years.
    Steve Kopack, NBC news, 24 Oct. 2025
  • Results show that microbial iron mining can immobilize toxic metals and convert stubborn pollutants into less harmful compounds.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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