Definition of raucousnext

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective raucous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of raucous are earsplitting, loud, stentorian, and strident. While all these words mean "marked by intensity or volume of sound," raucous implies a loud harsh grating tone, especially of voice, and may suggest rowdiness.

the raucous shouts of drunken revelers

When is it sensible to use earsplitting instead of raucous?

The meanings of earsplitting and raucous largely overlap; however, earsplitting implies loudness that is physically discomforting.

the earsplitting sound of a siren

Where would loud be a reasonable alternative to raucous?

The words loud and raucous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, loud applies to any volume above normal and may suggest undue vehemence or obtrusiveness.

loud shouts of protest

When is stentorian a more appropriate choice than raucous?

The words stentorian and raucous can be used in similar contexts, but stentorian implies great power and range.

an actor with a stentorian voice

When might strident be a better fit than raucous?

In some situations, the words strident and raucous are roughly equivalent. However, strident implies a rasping discordant but insistent quality, especially of voice.

the strident voices of hecklers

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 raucous During one recent — and raucous — Friday-night taping, Wood tilted back and forth with his two regular panelists. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026 Buoyed by raucous home support, the Thai star kept her composure under sweltering conditions and intense pressure to card a closing 4-under-par 68, finishing on 24-under-par 264. ABC News, 22 Feb. 2026 The seven-time All-Star made his first seven shots with five 3-pointers amid raucous cheers from the extra-steep supporters’ section called The Wall behind one basket at this futuristic 18-month-old arena. Greg Beacham, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026 And when the game was over, both coaches were eager to remark about the atmosphere and unused seats, Georgetown’s Ed Cooley was curious and UConn’s Dan Hurley exasperated that the crowd wasn’t more raucous on this Valentine’s Night. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 15 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raucous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • The reactions over this week’s snowball fight were similar to those that followed a 2019 episode during a heat wave, when boisterous young people engaged in water fights were recorded on video tossing water at police officers.
    Anthony Izaguirre, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
  • As players and the club work to be the best women’s soccer team on the planet at 1 Teal Rising Way off of I-635, construction is boisterous and 18-wheelers continuously roll up and down the street across from the complex.
    PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • After his release, LaBeouf was seen drinking a beer and posing with fans while watching the rowdy festivities.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 26 Feb. 2026
  • For generations, the Peso has remained familiar, whether for an afternoon beer and a round of pool, a rowdy nightcap, a rite-of-passage drink after turning 21 or the annual Thanksgiving Eve reunion revelry.
    Leanne Battelle, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The rambunctious female calf caught international attention on social media for her precocious antics, including taking a toothless bite of her handler.
    Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Bagatelle is the slightly more rambunctious option.
    Rebekah Evans, TheWeek, 5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Calle Cerra brings together multiple food and drink concepts in one lively stretch.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
  • From Erdem’s anniversary show to a slew of energetic debuts and a surprise appearance from His Majesty the King, this London Fashion Week (LFW) was particularly lively for a February edition.
    Maliha Shoaib, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • His lightning guitar work — alongside a mandolinist, fiddler, upright-bassist and banjo player who are not too shabby on their respective strings themselves — delivered a rollicking half-hour that gave the fans in the bleachers plenty to dance to.
    Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Joy’s jazzy, smoky version of the Marvin Gaye classic, coupled with her velvety vocals, sparked another rollicking ovation led by John who was the first to stand up.
    Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 4 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • The blue light from a phone, too-hot temperatures, too-cold temperatures—even a noisy fan can keep you awake.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Video shows noisy newborn bears Several social media users commented on the noise level coming from the tiny newborn bears.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • In the crowd at that rumbustious Democratic Convention in 1896 was a journeyman journalist, L. Frank Baum, who had a number of careers behind him by that time.
    David McWilliams, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025
  • Around this time, the outfit’s quirky, lightly rumbustious songs began to resonate across British press and radio; accessible while containing a marked dose of strangeness, Fontaine’s songwriting – at once emotionally raw and witty – boasted a strong multi-generational appeal.
    Sophie Williams, Billboard, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • Again, legal observers and ordinary citizens captured his violent death from several angles.
    Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 22 Feb. 2026
  • As the hours passed, violent events were replicated in Colima, Nayarit, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato, where blockades and attacks on infrastructure are multiplying.
    Claudia Núñez, AZCentral.com, 22 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Raucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raucous. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

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