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 In the late afternoon, tourists gazing at the sculpture would be pulled away from their selfies by the raucous sound of a second-line band. Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025 The Sunday afternoon crowd did their best to drown out the instrumental with a raucous ovation. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025 Defensively, Ole Miss aims to tighten up after some offseason adjustments, setting the tone quickly in front of a raucous home crowd. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 However, the statute doesn’t address incurable violations, such as, for example, unsafe driving, raucous disturbances, or misuse of common facilities. Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for raucous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • Among the latter, McElwee pays a visit to his longtime friend Charleen Swansea, who stole the show in Sherman’s March with her boisterous real-talk and raunchy humor.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Yet the mood is lively, even boisterous, come lunch, energy aided by friendly yet polished service.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In Aurora, some of the attendees became drunk and rowdy.
    Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Flipper’s Boogie Palace at LaCienega and Santa Monica was also the A lister’s night spot of its time, the roller disco home of the trendy (including a young Laura Dern), many in glitter hot pants ready for the rowdy rink.
    Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Prince Louis is… rambunctious and comical, while Princess Charlotte is calm, steady and very proper in every aspect of her demeanor.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Bill gravitates towards Tammy (Jane Levy), his daughter-in-law and the only other person in his rambunctious household who values contemplation and repose.
    Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The line connects the bustling Praça dos Restauradores in Baixa (downtown Lisbon) with the lively Bairro Alto district and the São Pedro de Alcântara viewpoint.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
  • While in La Latina, its winding medieval lanes overflow with lively tapas bars and local chatter.
    Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • His setlist, a rollicking walk-down-memory-lane of solo hits, NKOTB favorites, standards, show tunes and cover songs, showcased his range as an entertainer, musical virtuoso and keen collaborator.
    Sonal Dutt, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • During recent surveys for these noisy lizards in Namibia, researchers found five species new to science, according to the study.
    Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
  • The Aventho 200’s microphone uses Qualcomm’s cVc technology to ensure high-quality audio on phone calls and video meetings, even in noisy environments such as crowded trains or busy airports.
    Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • The movie is both exquisite and rumbustious, stylized and energized.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 May 2022
Adjective
  • Researchers measured violent and property crime data from 2023, fatal car accidents, drug overdose deaths and excessive drinking rates.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Alderman Raymond Lopez, a Democrat from Chicago’s 15th Ward, wants Trump to send the National Guard to his city because of the violent crime to which people in his city are subjected.
    Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Raucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raucous. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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