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 Watts became teary at this point in the conversation, earning a raucous round of applause from the crowd. — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 27 Sep. 2026 The Mountaineers couldn't take advantage of a raucous home crowd and fell to 11-3 in night games under head coach Rich Rodriguez. — CBS News, 27 Sep. 2026 Continue reading … BROKEN COVENANT — Javier Milei blasts UN as 'useless' den of 'fatally arrogant parasites' in raucous speech. — FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Some Mizzou players noted that loud music at practice does plenty for their preparation ahead of visits to raucous road environments. — Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for raucous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raucous
Adjective
  • Unlike regular golf tournaments, the first tee is boisterous with a flag-waving crowd and music.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The result is a boisterous, exhausting drama that struggles to balance trauma, satire and the painful legacy of Black sitcom fame.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Not to mention her infamously rowdy rooftop interview at the 1995 VMAs, throwing shade with Courtney Love and Kurt Loder.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities are urging people to avoid an herbal extract found during their investigations into the deaths of two students – one on and one off campus – at the University of Mississippi following a rowdy weekend centered on a major football rivalry.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Sunny, a rambunctious Portuguese water dog that President Barack Obama got at the start of his second term in the White House, died Tuesday at the age of 13, Obama announced.
    — Amy B Wang, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2026
  • When her beloved dog Krypto is poisoned, Kara teams with a vengeful teen (Eve Ridley) and a rambunctious bounty hunter (Jason Momoa) to hunt down the vicious outlaw responsible.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
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
Adjective
  • Mercury in your sign squares Mars in your 10th House, putting your voice, identity, and public responsibilities into a lively tug-of-war.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Each Lucas Duplan set will feature songs crafted to satisfy Miami’s appetite for electronic music and a lively nightlife.
    — William Jones, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The world is too noisy; therefore, people are less perceptive.
    — Josh Zajdman, Vogue, 29 Sep. 2026
  • For spring/summer 2027, pastels were used to regulate noisier silhouettes and prints, and as a check on volume and pattern, as opposed to being chosen as a soft, safe default.
    — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Raucous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raucous. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.

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