rambunctious

adjective

ram-ˈbəŋk-shəs How to pronounce rambunctious (audio)
Definition of rambunctiousnext
as in boisterous
being rough or noisy in a high-spirited way that beach is often taken over by packs of rambunctious young people, so don't go there expecting peace and quiet

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 rambunctious During a scene where Olmo and Miguel finally fix the stereo and begin dancing, Eimbcke wanted a more rambunctious reaction. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 The picture of Cardinals cool, Walker chased down Kyle Schwarber, shut up a rambunctious Philly crowd and introduced himself to a much wider baseball world. — Dan Gelston, AJC.com, 14 July 2026 The project’s name is what Sprouse and Columbus call their friend group of rambunctious guys. — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 7 July 2026 The data center in Cloudthief (MCD, $28), Nathaniel Rich’s rambunctious, thoroughly entertaining heist novel, is in Pryor, Oklahoma, a far cry from the splendor of the fjords. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rambunctious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rambunctious
  1. boisterous
  2. rowdy
  3. raucous
  4. rumbustious
  5. lively
  6. rollicking
  7. noisy
Adjective
  • The tables are packed tightly together, ensuring a boisterous, convivial atmosphere.
    — Laura Itzkowitz, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
  • For months, boisterous fellows at Angels Stadium peeled off their shirts and begged Moreno to sell.
    — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of boisterous
Adjective
  • Despite whatever news comes from the court system today, Lane Kiffin’s debut as LSU coach should be rowdy.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As Musashi scrambles through a school of Samurai, the game seamlessly bounces between skillful swordplay, rowdy improvisation, and Looney Tunes-style levity.
    — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of rowdy
Adjective
  • Find a way to limit run-after-catch opportunities for Green Bay’s wideouts, avoid turnovers offensively and Minnesota should be able to ride a raucous crowd to a Week 1 victory.
    — Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • China's 7-foot-3 teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu scored 8 points while Han Xu lead the team with 19 points and 10 rebounds in front of a raucous crowd at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of raucous
Adjective
  • The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
    — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
  • Still, there’s a lot of pleasing vitality to this great American story about how clever brewers took an ancient idea and unlocked an unheard-of range of innovations with a combination of capitalist energy and rumbustious creativity.
    — Kyle Smith, National Review, 18 Apr. 2021
Definition of rumbustious
Adjective
  • Broad, a lively character on the field during his playing days, then starts talking about personas.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Vendors and growers carry in their selections from different parts of the city and greater New England, making the lively market feel like a center for the region’s resurgence of artisan crafts and family farming.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of lively
Adjective
  • Murphy then appeared on stage to a rollicking standing ovation and made his way to his place at the dais toward the back of the room.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Those self-aware lyrics are paired with breezy melody and a gently rollicking rhythm, making this feel like a freewheeling summertime favorite.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of rollicking
Adjective
  • Jay Carney and Judy Keen, in the pool for Time and USA Today, respectively, were making a noisy case to fly back on Air Force One too.
    — Sonya Ross For The Atlanta Journal-Contitution, AJC.com, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Look for the human touch – the mentions of noisy ice machines, broken elevators, or terrible service.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of noisy

Browse Nearby Words

ramblings
rambunctious
rambunctiousness
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Cite this Entry

“Rambunctious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rambunctious. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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